Baseball League Talks to Doctor About Banned Drugs
Baseball League Talks to Doctor About Banned Drugs
棒球聯盟與醫生討論禁藥問題
Introduction
Major League Baseball (MLB) talked to Dr. Neal ElAttrache. He is a doctor for the Dodgers and the Rams. The league wants to know about his help for fighter Conor McGregor.
美國職棒大聯盟（MLB）與 Neal ElAttrache 醫生進行了對話。他是道奇隊與公羊隊的醫生。聯盟想了解他如何協助格鬥選手 Conor McGregor。
Main Body
A newspaper said Dr. ElAttrache helped Conor McGregor use banned drugs. These drugs make athletes stronger. The doctor says he did not give the drugs. He says he only sent the fighter to another specialist.
一份報紙指出 ElAttrache 醫生協助 Conor McGregor 使用禁藥。這些藥物能讓運動員變得更強壯。該醫生則表示他並未提供藥物，僅將該選手轉介給另一位專科醫生。
Dr. ElAttrache is a very famous doctor. He helps many top stars like Shohei Ohtani and Tom Brady. Because he works for two big teams, the MLB wants more information.
ElAttrache 醫生是一位非常著名的醫生。他協助過許多頂級球星，例如大谷翔平與 Tom Brady。由於他同時為兩支大球隊服務，因此 MLB 希望獲取更多資訊。
Conor McGregor had problems with drug rules. He did not tell the league where he was. Because of this, he could not fight for 18 months. He can fight again in July.
Conor McGregor 在藥物規定方面出現問題。他未向聯盟告知其所在地點。因此，他被禁止參賽 18 個月。他將於 7 月恢復參賽。
Conclusion
The doctor says he followed the rules. The MLB is still asking questions. Conor McGregor is getting ready to fight again.
醫生表示他遵守了規定。MLB 仍在詢問相關問題。Conor McGregor 正在準備再次參賽。
Vocabulary Learning
⚡ Quick Win: The 'He' Pattern
In this story, we see the word 'He' used many times. At the A2 level, you need to know that 'He' replaces a man's name so we don't sound like a robot.
Look at the shift:
- Dr. ElAttrache is a doctor He is a doctor.
- Conor McGregor had problems He had problems.
🛠️ Word Power: The 'Action' Words
Notice how these words describe a process from asking to doing:
- Talked (Speaking to someone)
- Wants (Desiring information)
- Helped (Giving support)
- Followed (Doing what the rules say)
Pro Tip: To move to A2, stop using only 'say' or 'do'. Use 'help' or 'want' to be more specific.
🕒 Time Clues
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Still | It is continuing | The MLB is still asking. |
| Again | One more time | He can fight again. |
These two words help you describe when things happen in a story!
Vocabulary Learning
Major League Baseball Reviews Dr. Neal ElAttrache After Allegations of Helping Athlete Use Banned Drugs
大聯盟針對 Dr. Neal ElAttrache 涉嫌協助運動員使用禁藥進行審查
Introduction
Major League Baseball (MLB) has held an informational meeting with Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the team doctor for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Rams. This follows reports about his role in the medical recovery of UFC fighter Conor McGregor.
美國職棒大聯盟 (MLB) 已與洛杉磯道奇隊及洛杉磯公羊隊的隊醫 Dr. Neal ElAttrache 舉行資訊交流會議。此前有報導指出，他在 UFC 格鬥家 Conor McGregor 的醫療康復過程中扮演了特定角色。
Main Body
The review was caused by a New York Times report suggesting that Dr. ElAttrache helped Conor McGregor use performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) while recovering from a leg fracture in 2021. Dr. ElAttrache emphasized that he did not personally prescribe steroids. However, he admitted that he referred McGregor to a specialist for bone health and wrote a letter to help the athlete get a medical exemption from UFC drug rules. He asserted that he was not involved in the actual prescribing process and told the athlete to follow drug-testing rules.
此次審查是由於《紐約時報》的一篇報導，指出 Dr. ElAttrache 在 2021 年 Conor McGregor 腿部骨折康復期間，協助其使用表現增強藥物 (PEDs)。Dr. ElAttrache 強調他個人並未開立類固醇處方。然而，他承認將 McGregor 轉介給一名骨骼健康專家，並寫信協助該運動員向 UFC 申請禁藥規則的醫療豁免。他主張自己未參與實際的開藥過程，並告知該運動員應遵守藥物檢測規則。
This situation is significant because Dr. ElAttrache is a very influential doctor. He has operated on many top athletes, including 18 of the 29 MVP or Cy Young winners from the last ten years, as well as stars like Shohei Ohtani and Tom Brady. Because he works for two major professional sports teams, MLB decided to conduct this review, although the league stated it is not a formal investigation.
此情況相當重要，因為 Dr. ElAttrache 是一位極具影響力的醫生。他曾為許多頂尖運動員進行手術，包括過去十年 29 位 MVP 或賽揚獎得主中的 18 位，以及大谷翔平與 Tom Brady 等球星。由於他同時為兩支大型職業體育隊伍服務，MLB 決定進行此次審查，儘管聯盟表示這並非正式調查。
At the same time, McGregor has faced his own problems with anti-doping rules. After being away from drug testing for a period, McGregor was suspended for 18 months in October 2025 for failing to follow the UFC's location reporting rules. This suspension ended in June, allowing him to return to competition on July 11.
與此同時，McGregor 本人也面臨反禁藥規則的問題。在一段時間未接受藥檢後，McGregor 因未遵守 UFC 的位置報告規定，於 2025 年 10 月被禁賽 18 個月。此次禁賽於 6 月結束，使其能在 7 月 11 日重返賽場。
Conclusion
Dr. ElAttrache insists that he followed all medical laws, while MLB continues its review and McGregor prepares to fight again.
Dr. ElAttrache 堅持他遵守了所有醫療法律，而 MLB 則繼續進行審查，McGregor 亦在準備再次出賽。
Vocabulary Learning
⚡ The 'Power Shift': Moving from Basic to Professional Verbs
At an A2 level, you likely use simple verbs like say, help, or give. To reach B2, you need to use Precise Verbs that describe how something is done.
Look at this evolution based on the text:
| A2 (Simple) | B2 (Professional/Academic) | Why it's better |
|---|---|---|
| Say | Assert / Emphasize | It shows the speaker is confident or strong. |
| Help | Refer | Specifically means sending someone to another expert. |
| Do/Make | Conduct | Used for formal processes like reviews or tests. |
🔍 Deep Dive: The Logic of 'Assert' vs. 'Say'
In the article, the doctor didn't just say he was innocent; he asserted it.
- Say: Neutral information. ("He said it was raining.")
- Assert: Stating something forcefully as a fact, even if others disagree. ("He asserted that he followed the law.")
Using assert tells the reader that there is a conflict or a debate happening. This is the key to B2 fluency: using words that provide context without needing extra adjectives.
🛠️ Application: The 'Professional' Filter
When you write or speak, try to replace your 'utility' verbs with 'specific' verbs:
-
Instead of: "The company did a check on the employee."
-
Try: "The company conducted a review of the employee."
-
Instead of: "The boss said the project was important."
-
Try: "The boss emphasized the importance of the project."
Vocabulary Learning
Major League Baseball Conducts Inquiry into Physician Neal ElAttrache Following Allegations of Performance-Enhancing Drug Facilitation
大聯盟就醫師 Neal ElAttrache 被指協助使用禁藥而展開調查
Introduction
Major League Baseball (MLB) has conducted an informational interview with Dr. Neal ElAttrache, team physician for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Rams, following reports regarding his role in the medical recovery of UFC athlete Conor McGregor.
大聯盟（MLB）已對洛杉磯道奇隊與洛杉磯公羊隊的隊醫 Neal ElAttrache 醫師進行了一次資訊面談，此前有報導指出他在 UFC 運動員 Conor McGregor 的醫療康復過程中扮演了特定角色。
Main Body
The inquiry was precipitated by a New York Times report indicating that Dr. ElAttrache facilitated the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) for Conor McGregor during the athlete's recovery from a 2021 tibia and fibula fracture. While Dr. ElAttrache maintains that he did not personally prescribe steroids, he acknowledged referring McGregor to a specialist for bone metabolism expertise and authoring a letter to support a therapeutic use exemption (TUE) from UFC drug policies. Dr. ElAttrache asserts that he remained detached from the specific prescribing process and advised the athlete to coordinate with drug-testing authorities.
此次調查是由於《紐約時報》的一篇報導指出，ElAttrache 醫師在 Conor McGregor 於 2021 年脛骨與腓骨骨折康復期間，協助其使用表現提升藥物（PEDs）。雖然 ElAttrache 醫師堅持表示自己並未親自開立類固醇處方，但他承認將 McGregor 轉介給一名骨代謝專家，並撰寫了一封信以支持其申請 UFC 藥物政策的治療用途豁免（TUE）。ElAttrache 醫師主張，他與具體的開藥過程保持距離，並建議該運動員與藥物檢測部門協調。
This development carries institutional weight given Dr. ElAttrache's extensive professional portfolio. He has performed surgical procedures on a significant cohort of elite athletes, including 18 of the 29 MVP or Cy Young award winners from the previous decade, as well as high-profile figures such as Shohei Ohtani, Tom Brady, and Joe Burrow. The intersection of his role as a primary physician for two major professional sports franchises and the allegations of PED facilitation has prompted the MLB's informational review, although the league has characterized the interaction as non-investigative.
鑑於 ElAttrache 醫師豐富的專業資歷，此一發展具有體制上的影響力。他曾為大量頂尖運動員執行手術，包括過去十年 29 位 MVP 或賽揚獎得主中的 18 位，以及大谷翔平、Tom Brady 和 Joe Burrow 等知名球星。他身為兩家大型職業體育特許經營權的主診醫師，與被指協助使用禁藥的指控交織在一起，促使大聯盟進行資訊審查，儘管聯盟將此次互動定調為非調查性質。
Concurrent with these allegations, McGregor's professional standing has been impacted by anti-doping violations. Following a period of withdrawal from the drug-testing pool—which his management attributed to recovery requirements—McGregor was suspended for 18 months in October 2025 after failing to adhere to the UFC Whereabouts Policy. This suspension expired in June, permitting his scheduled return to competition on July 11.
與這些指控同時，McGregor 的職業地位也受到反禁藥違規的影響。在一段時間退出藥物檢測池後（其管理團隊將其歸因於康復需求），McGregor 因未能遵守 UFC 行蹤申報政策，於 2025 年 10 月被處以 18 個月停賽。該停賽期於 6 月屆滿，使其能夠按計劃於 7 月 11 日重返賽場。
Conclusion
Dr. ElAttrache maintains his adherence to all medical regulations, while MLB continues its informational process and McGregor prepares for his return to professional competition.
ElAttrache 醫師堅持其遵守所有醫療法規，而大聯盟將繼續其資訊處理程序，McGregor 則準備重返職業賽場。
Vocabulary Learning
The Architecture of Institutional Euphemism & Strategic Distancing
To move from B2 to C2, a student must stop seeing vocabulary as a list of synonyms and start seeing it as a tool for strategic ambiguity. This text is a masterclass in Corporate/Legal Hedging—the art of describing a serious accusation while meticulously avoiding the admission of guilt or the confirmation of a crime.
◈ The 'Non-Investigative' Paradox
Observe the phrase: "the league has characterized the interaction as non-investigative."
At a B2 level, a student might simply say "It wasn't an investigation." However, the C2 writer uses nominalization (the interaction) and attribution (characterized as) to create a layer of insulation. By framing the event as an "informational review" or "informational interview," the text signals a specific legal posture: it is an inquiry, but not a formal prosecution.
C2 Mastery Shift: Instead of stating facts, use attributional verbs to describe how a powerful entity frames those facts.
◈ Lexical Precision: 'Precipitated' vs. 'Caused'
"The inquiry was precipitated by a New York Times report..."
While caused is functionally correct, precipitated carries a chemical/meteorological connotation—it implies that a situation was already volatile and this specific event acted as the catalyst that made it happen suddenly. This is the difference between basic causality and nuanced systemic analysis.
◈ Semantic Shielding (The 'Detachment' Strategy)
Analyze the phrase: "Dr. ElAttrache asserts that he remained detached from the specific prescribing process."
Note the selection of 'detached'. In a B2 context, this might mean 'not interested.' In a C2 legal/professional context, 'detached' serves as a semantic shield. It is a precise choice designed to imply a lack of liability. He isn't saying he didn't know; he is stating he was not an integrated part of the process.
Advanced Linguistic Pattern to Adopt:
[Institutional Subject] [Nuanced Action Verb] [Abstract Noun Phrase]
Example from text: "This development carries institutional weight."
The C2 Edge: Avoid simple adjectives (e.g., "This is a serious situation"). Instead, attribute properties to abstract concepts ("This carries institutional weight"). This shifts the tone from opinion to analytical observation.