ADHD Drug Exemptions Plunge to Record Low in MLB, Urgent Update

UPDATE: The number of Major League Baseball players receiving exemptions to use medication for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has plummeted to a record low of 54. This significant drop from 61 last year and 119 in 2013 was revealed in the latest annual report by Thomas M. Martin, the independent program administrator for MLB’s drug program.

This sharp decline in Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) signals a crucial shift in how ADHD medications, such as Adderall, Ritalin, and Vyvanse, are being monitored and authorized in the league. The report was released on Monday and underscores the increasing scrutiny of performance-enhancing drugs in professional sports.

In total, 11,700 drug tests were conducted during the year concluding with the 2025 World Series, just shy of the previous year’s record of 11,783. This year’s testing included 9,400 urine samples and 2,300 blood samples designed to detect Human Growth Hormone (HGH). Remarkably, only two players tested positive, leading to disciplinary actions.

Jurickson Profar of the Atlanta Braves was handed an 80-game suspension on March 31 for a positive test for Chorionic Gonadotrophin, a hormone associated with testosterone production. Meanwhile, José Alvarado, closer for the Philadelphia Phillies, received a similar 80-game ban on May 18 after testing positive for external testosterone. Alvarado’s positive result was attributed to a weight loss drug taken during the offseason, according to Dave Dombrowski, the Phillies’ president of baseball operations.

In addition to the 54 ADHD exemptions, the report noted a single exemption each for hypertension, sleep disorders, and hormone function. This tightening of regulations reflects MLB’s ongoing commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport and ensuring fairness among players.

As the landscape of drug testing evolves, baseball fans and stakeholders are left to wonder how these changes will impact player performance and health in the coming seasons. With scrutiny at an all-time high, the implications for those seeking approval for TUEs could be profound.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as MLB continues to enforce its policies on performance-enhancing drugs and player health.