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MLB Player Union Agrees to New Anti-Doping Policy

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Major League Baseball's players' union has agreed to a tough new anti-doping policy that imposes stiffer penalties for players caught using performance-enhancing drugs.

Baseball team owners previously approved the pact, and Thursday's uncontested vote by the union came at the end of the players' association's annual executive board meetings.

The new policy suspends players for 50 games for the first positive steroid test, 100 games for the second and imposes a lifetime ban for a third positive test. Players can appeal the lifetime ban after two years.

Penalties for amphetamine use are not as severe in the early stages. A first positive test results in mandatory evaluation and follow-up testing. A second test means a 25-game suspension, while a 50-game ban is imposed for a third test.

The new drug policy comes as the U.S. Congress is investigating drug use in baseball. Congress was threatening to revoke baseball's special tax status if tougher drug sanctions were not put in place.

Some information for this report provided by AP.

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