KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Major League Baseball announced on Saturday that currently injured Royals’ infielder Miguel Tejada will immediately be suspended 105 games for a positive Amphetamine test, which violated MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Tejada, who is on the 60-day disabled list with a strained calf muscle, said in a statement that he made a mistake due to a medical condition.
“I apologize to my teammates, the Royals organization and to the Kansas City fans. I have a medical condition that requires medication to treat. I took that medication while re-applying for a ‘Therapeutic Use Exemption.’ Under the requirement of the Joint Drug Program, I made a mistake in doing so,” Tejada said in the statement.
Tejada reportedly tested positive twice for Adderall, which is used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Of the 119 ‘Therapuetic Use Exemptions’ granted by the league last year, 116 were for ADHD according to a 2012 report issued by the league. Tejada had an exemption that expired on April 15.
Tejada appeared in 53 games for the Royals and hit .288 with three home runs and 20 RBIs. He played all around the Royals’ infield, collecting starts at first, second and third base and only committed two errors in 49 combined infield starts. Tejada will serve 41 games of the suspension this year, if he returns next year he must sit out the first 64 games.
