New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is among 13 players suspended by Major League Baseball for their alleged links to the Biogenesis anti-aging clinic in South Florida. Rodriguez is the marquee name among the group, but other key players like Nelson Cruz of the Texas Rangers and Jhonny Peralta of the Detroit Tigers, were suspended as well.
MLB.com notes that Rodriguez was given the biggest suspension, banning the 38-year-old from the game through the end of the 2014 season. He has not played in the 2013 season because of a hip injury and will be allowed to play as he appeals the suspension. The Yankees play the Chicago White Sox in Chicago tonight and Rodriguez is expected to play.
The reasons the MLB cited for Rodriguez’s suspension include using and possessing several forms of performance enhancing drugs, such as human growth hormone and testosterone, over several years. Rodriguez also allegedly impeded the Office of the Commissioner’s investigation in a cover up attempt.
According to ESPN, Commissioner Bud Selig said he was “proud of the comprehensive nature of our efforts -- not only with regard to random testing, groundbreaking blood testing for human Growth Hormone and one of the most significant longitudinal profiling programs in the world, but also our investigative capabilities, which proved vital to the Biogenesis case.”
Later, Selig said, “Rodriguez's discipline under the Basic Agreement is for attempting to cover-up his violations of the program by engaging in a course of conduct intended to obstruct and frustrate the Office of the Commissioner's investigation.”
Rodriguez’s suspension starts Thursday, meaning that the suspension covers 211 games. His suspension follows days of speculation from the media and the 65-game suspension of Milwaukee Brewers star Ryan Braun.
Cruz, whose season ends immediately, issued a lengthy statement after the news broke, saying that the suspension came after "an error in judgment that I deeply regret, and I accept full responsibility for that error.” He said he had a gastrointestinal infection early last year, but he said that was “no excuse” for his choice.
Aside from Cruz, Peralta, the San Diego Padres’ Everth Cabrera, the other players who received 50-game suspensions are: Mariners catcher Jesus Montero, Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli, Phillies reliever Antonio Bastardo and recently demoted Mets utilityman Jordany Valdespin. The five minor leaguers suspended are Fernando Martinez, Jordan Norberto, Fautino de los Santos, Cesar Puello and Sergio Escalona.
image: Wikimedia Commons
