BREAKING: Major League Baseball (MLB) has just announced a shocking drop in Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) for ADHD medications, with only 54 players granted permission to use treatments like Adderall and Ritalin. This marks a dramatic decline from 61 last year and 119 in 2013, according to the latest report released by Thomas M. Martin, the independent program administrator of MLB’s drug program.
The report, unveiled Monday, reveals that 11,700 drug tests were conducted throughout the season concluding with the 2025 World Series, slightly below the record of 11,783 from the previous year. This year’s testing included 9,400 urine samples and 2,300 blood samples aimed at detecting Human Growth Hormone (HGH).
Among the tests, only two resulted in positive findings leading to player suspensions. Jurickson Profar of the Atlanta Braves received an 80-game suspension on March 31 for testing positive for Chorionic Gonadotrophin, a hormone related to testosterone production. Similarly, José Alvarado, closer for the Philadelphia Phillies, was banned for 80 games on May 18 after a positive test for external testosterone. Alvarado attributed his positive test to a weight loss drug taken during the offseason, while Profar claimed he did not knowingly ingest the banned substance.
The report also noted one TUE for hypertension, one for sleep disorders, and one for hormone function, illustrating the strict oversight and limited exemptions available to players.
This significant reduction in ADHD medication exemptions has sparked discussions about the changing landscape of drug use in baseball, and its implications on player health and performance. Fans and officials alike are watching closely as MLB navigates these stringent regulations.
With less than a year until the next World Series, the focus will remain on how these changes impact player performance and the league’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a fair playing field. Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
