Attorney: Mejia to appeal ban after MLB's 'dirty cop tactics'

Former New York Mets reliever Jenrry Mejia announced Friday that he will appeal his lifetime ban issued by Major League Baseball last month as the result of his third failed drug test.

With his attorney Vincent White seated next to him, Mejia denied using any banned substance when he tested positive a third time, and believes he will be cleared of any wrongdoing.

White claimed that they have witnesses who allege MLB hired third-party contractors to hack players' online accounts, and that the league tried to get Mejia to testify against another player, implying that if he didn't, they'd go out of their way to find a third failed test.

"This is dirty cop tactics," White told reporters.

Mejia stated earlier this month that the league was out to get him, and proceeded to call out the players association for not doing more to help.

"I felt there was a conspiracy against me," Mejia said at the time. "I feel that they were trying to find something to bring me down in my career."

Following a third positive test for PEDs, the league announced that Mejia, who was already serving a previous suspension, would be banned for life. He can apply for reinstatement in one year, but would have to sit out a minimum of two seasons before being eligible to pitch in the majors again.

Mejia acknowledged he's received offers to play in Korea, but will forego the invitation to clear his name in the United States.

The 26-year-old has spent his entire five-year career with the Mets. He began serving an 80-game suspension in April, returned to make seven relief appearances, only to be suspended for 162 games in July.