MLB Investigates Dodgers Team Doctor Over Alleged PED Involvement

Major League Baseball has launched an inquiry into Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the Los Angeles Dodgers' team physician, following reports that he facilitated access to performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) for UFC star Conor McGregor. While the allegations stem from McGregor’s 2021 recovery from a severe leg fracture, the league is conducting the investigation as a matter of due diligence to ensure that no such practices have extended to professional baseball players under ElAttrache’s care.

Dr. ElAttrache, a prominent figure in sports medicine who also serves as the team doctor for the Los Angeles Rams, has denied direct involvement in prescribing prohibited substances. He maintains that while he oversaw McGregor’s surgical recovery, he deferred the medication management to external specialists. Despite his denial, MLB officials are scrutinizing his professional conduct to confirm that his medical practices align with the league’s strict Joint Drug Agreement, which governs the use of banned substances among its athletes.

This investigation highlights the rigorous oversight MLB maintains regarding the integrity of its medical staff and player health protocols. Since the implementation of the Joint Drug Agreement in 2006, the league has enforced stringent penalties for PED use, including an 80-game suspension for first-time offenders. Given the historical sensitivity surrounding PEDs in baseball—most notably the Biogenesis scandal—the league is prioritizing transparency to prevent any potential conflicts of interest or violations of its anti-doping policies. Currently, there is no evidence suggesting that any MLB players were involved in or affected by the practices reported in the McGregor case.