At least one MLB player suggested the league's PED policy should be toughened up after its latest devastating positive test involving an All-Star.
Oakland Athletics reliever Jake Diekman took to social media on Wednesday to vent his frustration in the wake of the bombshell announcement that Mets second baseman Robinson Cano has been banned for the entire 2021 season after his second career positive test.
Diekman, in a three-word all-caps post, appeared to call for players to be suspended for life upon a second positive test.
"LIFE TIME BAN." Diekman said in a tweet.
MLB's PED policy presently calls for 81- and 162-game bans for first and second violations, and lifetime bans for a third violation.
Cano, 38, was previously popped for juicing in 2018, costing him 81 games in the middle of the season. He returned later in the year and was offloaded by Seattle the following offseason in a blockbuster deal that marked one of Brodie Van Wagenen's first splashy move as Mets GM.
With the second positive test, Cano becomes only the sixth player to be slapped with a full-season suspension, joining Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez, Marlon Byrd, Jenrry Mejia and Frances Martes.
Mejia, the former Met, is the only player to be banned for life under the current policy.
Diekman, 34 in January, re-signed with Oakland last offseason after he was acquired from the Royals in a 2019 midseason deal. He previously pitched for the Rangers, Phillies, Royals and Diamondbacks.
The journeyman reliever has a 3.71 career ERA in 462 appearances and 395 1/3 innings.