Urgent Update: ADHD Medication Exemptions Plunge to Record Low in MLB

URGENT UPDATE: Major League Baseball (MLB) has reported a shocking decline in the number of players granted exemptions for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications, with only 54 players receiving permission to use these drugs this year. This marks a significant drop from 61 last year and a staggering decrease from 119 in 2013.

This alarming statistic was unveiled on Monday in the annual report by Thomas M. Martin, the independent program administrator overseeing MLB’s drug program. The implications of this drop resonate deeply within the league, highlighting a growing scrutiny around ADHD treatments, including commonly used medications like Adderall, Ritalin, and Vyvanse.

In total, 11,700 drug tests were conducted during the year concluding with the 2025 World Series, just shy of the previous record of 11,783 tests in 2023. This year’s tests comprised 9,400 urine samples and 2,300 blood samples aimed at detecting Human Growth Hormone.

Out of these tests, only two resulted in positive outcomes leading to disciplinary actions against players on 40-man rosters. Notably, Jurickson Profar of the Atlanta Braves was suspended for 80 games on March 31 after testing positive for Chorionic Gonadotrophin, a hormone linked to testosterone production. Meanwhile, José Alvarado from the Philadelphia Phillies faced a similar fate, receiving an 80-game ban on May 18 for testing positive for external testosterone.

Profar has stated he did not knowingly consume the banned substance, while Phillies President of Baseball Operations, Dave Dombrowski, explained that Alvarado’s positive result stemmed from a weight loss drug taken during the offseason.

In addition to the 54 exemptions for ADHD, there was only one exemption each for hypertension, a sleep disorder, and hormone function. This stark reduction in exemptions raises critical questions about the accessibility of necessary medications for players, affecting their performance and overall well-being.

As fans and commentators react to these developments, eyes will be on MLB to see how they will adjust their policies in light of these findings. The future of ADHD medication use in professional baseball is at a crossroads, making this a pivotal moment for both players and the league.

Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story as it unfolds.