MLB Clears Dodgers Physician of Allegations

Major League Baseball has exonerated Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the team physician for the Los Angeles Dodgers, from allegations of misconduct. This decision follows inquiries into his involvement in the use of performance-enhancing drugs by U.F.C. star Conor McGregor for a leg injury.

MLB’s commissioner’s office stated in a report released on Tuesday that investigators had thoroughly questioned Dr. ElAttrache the previous week. After reviewing the interview and additional records, the league found no issues with Dr. ElAttrache’s treatment of MLB players or any breaches of the sport’s antidoping policies.

Dr. ElAttrache has not commented on these findings. Besides his role with the Dodgers, Dr. ElAttrache serves as the chief medical officer for the Los Angeles Rams and is renowned in the sports medicine field. Over the past decade, he has treated or evaluated many top athletes, including Cy Young and MVP award winners such as Bryce Harper and Shohei Ohtani.

The investigation concluded swiftly after a report by The New York Times described Dr. ElAttrache’s support for an exemption that would allow McGregor to use prohibited substances following a severe leg injury in 2021. Antidoping officials at the U.F.C. questioned the legitimacy of such an exemption.

Experts in sports medicine and antidoping were taken aback by Dr. ElAttrache’s endorsement of the exemption, stating that no similar exceptions had been documented.

MLB indicated its intent to scrutinize the situation to determine the reasons behind Dr. ElAttrache’s advocacy for the exemption and to ascertain if he had supported the use of banned substances by MLB athletes. The commissioner’s office emphasized the importance of rigorous due diligence in their inquiry.

The NFL has not disclosed any intentions to investigate Dr. ElAttrache’s actions in this matter.

The information for this report was provided by Michael S. Schmidt, an investigative journalist focusing on federal inquiries.