Major League Baseball’s drug testing program has successfully cut down on the use of performance-enhancing drugs since its implementation two decades ago. Since testing began in 2003, it has continued uninterrupted — at least until December.
MLB has stopped testing players for steroids as a result of the expiration of the CBA in December, according to Ronald Blum of the Associated Press. The league’s joint drug agreement expired along with the CBA, and no special provision was made for its extension.
Offseason testing was a regular feature of the program. According to data issued by the program’s administrator, 7,327 tests were conducted during the offseason between 2017 and 2021.
Would a player use illegal substances right now while not being tested and risk detection later on? That seems unlikely, especially since there is no guarantee a deal might not come together quickly at any time. On the other hand, some players manage to get caught using PEDs while testing is ongoing, so nothing is impossible.
