Post by Burke on Aug 5, 2013 14:50:47 GMT -5
A-Rod handed 211 game ban
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has been banned until the end of the 2014 season as part of the investigation into the Biogenesis scandal.
Rodriguez and 11 other players were told of their suspensions on Monday, his the longest by far, with the others stood down for 50 games each.
The players were all revealed to have obtained performance-enhancing drugs from the now defunct Miami clinic, more specifically Human Growth Hormone.
Major League Baseball sued six people connected with the clinic earlier this year and last month Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun - a former National League MVP - was banned for 65 games (the end of the 2013 season) for his involvement.
The other high-profile players banned include Texas Rangers slugger Nelson Cruz, Detroit Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta and Seattle Mariners catcher Jesus Montero.
San Diego Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera, Philadelphia Phillies reliever Antonio Bastardo, New York Mets outfielder Jordany Valdespin, Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli, Mets outfield prospect Cesar Puello, Padres pitching prospect Fautino De Los Santos, Houston Astros pitching prospect Sergio Escalona and Yankees outfield prospect Fernando Martinez complete the list.
Oakland Athletics pitcher Bartolo Colon, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Melky Cabrera and San Diego Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal received no additional punishments as they each served 50-game suspensions following a positive test.
Washington Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez and Baltimore Orioles infielder Danny Valencia were cleared of any wrongdoing.
But it is the ban handed down to Rodriguez, who was the only one of the players not to accept his sanction, that will cause shockwaves and most likely lead to a lengthy appeal.
Rodriguez will be allowed to play on until any appeal is concluded and he is expected to return to the Yankees line-up soon after missing all of the season so far in the wake of off-season hip surgery.
His harsher punishment, which totals 211 games and starts on Thursday, is reported to come down to evidence that he directed other players towards the clinic and interfered with MLB's investigation.
Rodriguez admitted four years ago that he used performance-enhancing drugs while with Texas from 2001-2003 but has repeatedly denied using them since.
The 38-year-old will still be eligible to collect $60m from the last three years of his record-breaking deal, which expires in 2017.
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has been banned until the end of the 2014 season as part of the investigation into the Biogenesis scandal.
Rodriguez and 11 other players were told of their suspensions on Monday, his the longest by far, with the others stood down for 50 games each.
The players were all revealed to have obtained performance-enhancing drugs from the now defunct Miami clinic, more specifically Human Growth Hormone.
Major League Baseball sued six people connected with the clinic earlier this year and last month Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun - a former National League MVP - was banned for 65 games (the end of the 2013 season) for his involvement.
The other high-profile players banned include Texas Rangers slugger Nelson Cruz, Detroit Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta and Seattle Mariners catcher Jesus Montero.
San Diego Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera, Philadelphia Phillies reliever Antonio Bastardo, New York Mets outfielder Jordany Valdespin, Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli, Mets outfield prospect Cesar Puello, Padres pitching prospect Fautino De Los Santos, Houston Astros pitching prospect Sergio Escalona and Yankees outfield prospect Fernando Martinez complete the list.
Oakland Athletics pitcher Bartolo Colon, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Melky Cabrera and San Diego Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal received no additional punishments as they each served 50-game suspensions following a positive test.
Washington Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez and Baltimore Orioles infielder Danny Valencia were cleared of any wrongdoing.
But it is the ban handed down to Rodriguez, who was the only one of the players not to accept his sanction, that will cause shockwaves and most likely lead to a lengthy appeal.
Rodriguez will be allowed to play on until any appeal is concluded and he is expected to return to the Yankees line-up soon after missing all of the season so far in the wake of off-season hip surgery.
His harsher punishment, which totals 211 games and starts on Thursday, is reported to come down to evidence that he directed other players towards the clinic and interfered with MLB's investigation.
Rodriguez admitted four years ago that he used performance-enhancing drugs while with Texas from 2001-2003 but has repeatedly denied using them since.
The 38-year-old will still be eligible to collect $60m from the last three years of his record-breaking deal, which expires in 2017.
