MLB Clears Dr. Neal ElAttrache of PED Allegations

The commissioner’s office noted that after a thorough investigation, there are no concerns regarding Dr. Neal ElAttrache’s role with the Los Angeles Dodgers. This probe followed reports suggesting his support for performance-enhancing drugs used by a UFC star.

On June 23, Major League Baseball announced that Dr. ElAttrache, the Dodgers’ team physician, had been cleared of any misconduct. This comes after a disclosure earlier in the month about his involvement in advising UFC star Conor McGregor on the use of banned substances to aid the recovery from a leg injury.

In a statement released on Tuesday, MLB’s commissioner’s office confirmed that its investigators interviewed Dr. ElAttrache last week. They found that he had responded comprehensively to the inquiries. Following this interview and a review of existing records, MLB stated, “We do not have any concerns regarding Dr. ElAttrache’s treatment of MLB players, or his adherence to the sport’s antidoping program. We consider this matter closed.”

Dr. ElAttrache, who did not immediately comment, is not only the Dodgers’ physician but also serves the Los Angeles Rams and is recognized as a leading sports physician. His expertise includes treating 18 of the 29 Cy Young or Most Valuable Player Award winners over the past decade, such as Bryce Harper and Shohei Ohtani.

The rapid resolution of this issue arose less than two weeks after reports in The New York Times highlighted Dr. ElAttrache’s letter in support of McGregor. The letter aimed for a special exemption to permit banned drug use after McGregor’s leg injury in 2021. Antidoping officials overseeing the UFC program believed McGregor’s request, with the doctor’s assistance, sought to exploit a potential loophole for using such substances.

Experts, including sports doctors and antidoping officials interviewed by The Times, expressed surprise over Dr. ElAttrache’s support, noting they were unfamiliar with similar exemptions being granted in the past.

MLB emphasized the importance of conducting due diligence to ensure Dr. ElAttrache’s decisions align with sport guidelines. The NFL, meanwhile, chose not to discuss whether it would conduct its investigation concerning Dr. ElAttrache.

Michael S. Schmidt is an investigative reporter for The Times focused on federal investigations and related high-profile topics.