Brewers' J.C. Mejia suspended 80 games for positive PED test

The Milwaukee Brewers headed into Tuesday's home game against the Atlanta Braves atop the National League Central standings with a 23-13 record but were in headlines for a much different reason ahead of that contest. 

Per Adam McCalvy of the Brewers' website and The Associated Press (h/t ESPN), right-handed relief pitcher J.C. Mejia has been suspended 80 games without pay after he tested positive for the synthetic steroid Stanozolol. The ban also makes Mejia ineligible for the entire 2022 postseason. 

Last month, Brewers catcher Pedro Severino was suspended for 80 games after he tested positive for Clomiphene. Severino is also banned from participating in this year's playoffs. 

Milwaukee initially landed Mejia via a trade with the Cleveland Guardians in November, and the 25-year-old made two big-league appearances this spring before Tuesday's development. He accumulated a 23.14 ERA across 2.1 innings of work. 

"These mistakes have consequences," Brewers manager Craig Counsell remarked about the news on Tuesday afternoon. "It costs him a chance to establish himself as a major league pitcher. He's got to take this opportunity, use the time to make himself better, and see what that brings in August, July or whenever this suspension is completed."

In a corresponding roster move, the Brewers selected the contract of righty Trevor Kelley from Triple-A Nashville.