University Network

With million dollar contracts being offered to baseball prospects, not only are they required to undergo DNA testing and steroid testing but also physical examination as well.

DNA testing was recently implemented to prevent fraud from prospects claiming to be younger than their actual age. Steroid testing, on the other hand, is done to ensure that coaches do not give these players steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs.

Recently, a physical examination done on Wagner Mateo, St. Louis Cardinals’ 16-year-old prospect, showed a defect in his right vision. He sees 20/30 out of his right eye.

In July 2, the day Mateo signed the contract, he was so proud to be with the Cardinals. He thought that his life would change, that he would be able to pull his family out of poverty in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Last Tuesday, his dreams were shattered as the Cardinals voided his contract due to “physical defect”.

Mateo’s agent Adam Katz is thinking of filing a grievance on behalf of Mateo against the Cardinals’ for terminating his contract.

Mateo is still keeping his confidence high. He is looking forward to try-outs and to showing people that his vision is not hindrance in his dreams of joining a major baseball team.

From Yahoo Sports:

Of course, it is not that simple, little in the Latin American baseball business being so. As signing bonuses have risen dramatically among teenagers primarily in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, so has scrutiny. Top prospects now undergo DNA testing to verify their age and steroid testing to ensure their coaches are not doping them. Almost a dozen scouts and executives have been fired in a bonus-skimming scandal that drew FBI interest.

Category: Anabolic Steroids | Tags: baseball, St. Louis Cardinals, steroid testing, Wagner Mateo