KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Banned reliever Jenrry Mejia will get "fair consideration" for reinstatement by Major League Baseball for the 2018 season if he applies, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said Tuesday.
Manfred nonetheless took the opportunity to rail against Mejia's attorney for allegations made against MLB.
During a press conference at a Queens law office last month, attorney Vincent White accused MLB of "dirty cop tactics and hacking players' online accounts."
Mejia was banned from baseball after MLB announced the New York Mets reliever's third positive test for performance-enhancing drugs, all of which came within a one-year span.
Mejia is eligible to reapply for reinstatement for the 2018 season. If the commissioner denies the appeal, Mejia still may gain readmission through an independent arbitrator.
"First of all, let me say, the allegations made by Mr. Mejia's attorney are utterly and completely without factual foundation. I think we've been pretty clear about that," Manfred said Tuesday. "And I don't think it's ever a positive, in any relationship, when somebody goes out and says things that are not true.
"Having said that, he has right to file for reinstatement. If and when he does that, I'll give that request for reinstatement fair consideration."
