While 113 players have exemptions to use, Adderall caused most MLB positive drug tests

By RONALD BLUM

The Associated Press
December 1, 2014 at 10:45PM

NEW YORK — While 113 big leaguers had exemptions in the past year to use otherwise banned substances to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Adderall caused eight of the 10 positive tests for stimulants under Major League Baseball's drug program.

A report released Monday by MLB's independent program administrator detailed the findings. Dr. Jeffrey M. Anderson's report showed that therapeutic use exemptions given to 40-man roster players to treat ADHD were down from the 119 in the year ending with the 2013 World Series.

Among the TUEs for ADHD, there were 11 for new players, down from 21 the previous year and the lowest total since 2008, a person familiar with the data told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because those figures were not in the report.

MLB and the players' association say the condition is more frequent in young adult males than among the general population.

One TUE also was granted for Hypogonadism, down from three.

Baltimore pitcher Troy Patton, San Diego outfielder Cameron Maybin and Orioles first baseman Chris Davis all served 25-game suspensions this year that followed banned tests for stimulants. Patton, now a free agent, was suspended again last month and will miss the first 80 games after he signs with a big league organization.

Players are suspended for banned stimulants only starting with a second violation. Initial positive tests are not announced and result in follow-up testing.

There were two positive tests for performance-enhancing drugs that led to 50-game suspensions: Tampa Bay pitcher Alex Colome for Boldenone, which has led to suspensions in several sports, and Seattle first baseman Ji-Man Choi for Methandienone, a substance popular with bodybuilders.

In addition, New York Yankees first baseman Alex Rodriguez served a season-long ban for violations of the sport's drug agreement and labor contract related to MLB's investigation of the Biogenesis of America clinic and not to positive tests.

MLB conducted 6,394 urine tests for PEDs and stimulants, up from 4,022 the previous year, and 1,535 blood tests for human growth hormone, an increase from 1,369. There has not been a positive HGH test since MLB began collecting blood samples in 2012.

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RONALD BLUM

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