MLB Current Drug Testing Policy

MLB DRUG TEST LOOPHOLE

FAILING MEANS YOU ARE AN IDIOT

The testing done by Major League Baseball could be considered a waste of time except for the fact players are still getting caught. MLB uses the standard  T/E Ratio Test. When given to the player the test measures the testosterone in your body to the epitestosterone produced in your body. Using the standard scale of 1 to 1, MLB allows players to have elevated testosterone levels in the body to be as high as 4 to 1. This means a player can have 4 times the level of testosterone in their body then the average human being and still not fail the test. This testing procedure which only costs $150 can not distinguish between natural and synthetic testosterone. 

So what does this mean? This means players have many ways around passing these urine tests. The most common practice which is widely known about in the athletic community is known as micro dosing. Players can take low amounts of a synthetic testosterone because it clears the body's system fast enough to not go detected it's simple since you can only get tested while at the ball park according to the Union's agreement. 

Former BALCO steroid guru Victor Conte broke it down like this "You finish a game, your ratio is 1 to 1, you rub the (synthetic testosterone) cream on your arm and your ratio can go up to 10 to 1, or 15 to 1. Six hours later, your T/E ratio is below 4 to 1. You've had the benefit of tissue repair, healing and recovery, and it promotes muscle growth. It makes muscles bigger, fresher, faster." - 
http://www.sfgate.com/giants/ostler/article/Victor-Conte-sees-MLB-drug-test-loophole-3799949.php 

It is clear that baseball doesn't mind players "juicing" because if they really wanted to stop players from using PED's then they would get rid of this amateur hour form of testing and switch over to a test called Carbon Isotope Ratio. This test costs a little more but it allows the lab to distinguish between natural and synthetic testosterone and can spot synthetic test in your body for up to 2 weeks after usage making it much harder to pass the urine tests that are being given on a regular basis. 

To me it appears MLB wants to give the appearance that they are cracking down on players using Performance Enhancing Drugs by catching the occasional player dumb enough to not using the micro dosing method. If they nail a player here and there it gives the appearance that current system "is working" If  MLB were to switch over to the Carbon Isotope method to many players would get busted resulting in a diminished product on the field ultimately it would be bad for the game. 

The Player's Union does not allow blood to be drawn at all during season. So from the start of Opening Day to the last day of the season which includes Playoff's for the teams that make it, HGH can be taken without any consequences. As long as the growth hormone is out of your system come October then you escape being caught.  So the idea that the steroid era is over is far from true. With the current testing implemented it is rather easy to avoid being caught.