By Jon Weisman

Major League Baseball and the Players’ Association have agreed on stiffer penalties for using performance-enhancing drugs, as Paul Hagen writes for MLB.com.

A first-time offender will receive an 80-game suspension, up from the previous 50 games. A second violation will result in a 162-game suspension and a loss of an entire season (183 days) of pay, up from 100 games. A third violation will lead to permanent banishment.

Any player disciplined for a violation involving performance-enhancing substances will not be allowed to participate in the postseason and will not be eligible for an automatic playoff share.

Scott Miller quotes the positive (pun not intended but acknowledged) reaction to the changes from A.J. Ellis and Adrian Gonzalez at MLB.com.