MLB Increases PED Penalties

Major League Baseball is increasing penalties for violating its Joint Drug Agreement.

The league and Players Association have agreed to increase a first-time performance-enhancing drug suspension from 50 games to 80 games. A second offense increases from 100 games to 162 and a third offense now results in a permanent suspension from baseball.

Any player suspended for PED use will be ineligible for the postseason. All suspensions will be unpaid.

The number of random in-season urine tests is also more than doubling, with additional testing during spring training and the postseason.  (Metro Networks Inc.)