MLB Clears Team Physician of Wrongdoing in PEDs Incident

Major League Baseball has exonerated Los Angeles Dodgers’ physician Neal ElAttrache after examining allegations of his involvement in supporting performance-enhancing drug use by U.F.C. star Conor McGregor. This decision follows revelations that Dr. ElAttrache advocated for McGregor to use banned substances to heal from a severe leg injury.

MLB’s commissioner’s office released a statement on Tuesday affirming that investigators had questioned Dr. ElAttrache last week. They noted that he provided comprehensive responses to their inquiries. After reviewing the interview and scrutinizing the records, MLB concluded that Dr. ElAttrache’s treatment of MLB players aligns with the sport’s antidoping program.

“We consider this matter closed,” stated the commissioner’s office. Dr. ElAttrache has not commented on the resolution.

Beyond working with the Dodgers, who claimed the last two World Series titles, Dr. ElAttrache serves as the primary physician for the Los Angeles Rams and holds a reputation as a leading sports doctor. He has attended to or evaluated 18 of the last 29 Cy Young or MVP Award recipients, including notable players like Bryce Harper and Shohei Ohtani.

The prompt decision to clear Dr. ElAttrache of any misconduct comes shortly after The New York Times reported his involvement in advocating for a special exemption for McGregor in 2021. This exemption would permit McGregor to employ prohibited drugs post-leg fracture without penalty.

Ultimate Fighting Championship’s antidoping authorities, overseeing the drug testing then, suspected McGregor intended to abuse the exemption with Dr. ElAttrache’s endorsement.

Interviews with sports physicians, antidoping specialists, sport administrators, and trauma surgeons exposed surprise at Dr. ElAttrache’s support for a potentially contentious exemption.

In reaction to the report, MLB declared it would investigate the matter to ascertain Dr. ElAttrache’s reasons for backing the exemption and confirm he has not favored banned drugs use among baseball players. “M.L.B. took our responsibility to conduct due diligence in this matter seriously,” stated the commissioner’s office.

The National Football League has remained silent on whether it will pursue its own investigation into Dr. ElAttrache.