Report: MLB preparing suspensions for Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Braun, others for Biogenesis link
MLB is preparing to suspend Alex Rodriguez and others for connections to a South Florida clinic. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Major League Baseball is preparing to suspend New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun and others connected to the Biogenesis clinic in South Florida, reports ESPN.com.
The report also states that as many as 20 other players will also be suspended because of their connection with the clinic. Biogenesis founder Tony Bosch agreed to cooperate with investigators from MLB after months of trying to verify if the players received performance-enhancing drugs from Bosch. Investigators have had records for more than a month that named the players.
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Melky Cabrera, Oakland Athletics pitcher Bartolo Colon and San Diego Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal have all received 50-game suspensions for failing PED tests and all had reported connections with Bosch.
Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, Seattle Mariners minor league catcher Jesus Montero, and Detroit Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta are also being looked at for possible suspensions.
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As far as Rodriguez and Braun are concerned, MLB is set to argue both players violated policy twice: once by dealing with Bosch, and another time for lying to MLB about their connection to Bosch's clinic.
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Until now, Bosch had denied any wrongdoing with PED distribution.
"I have been accused, tried and convicted in the media. And so I think [I] have been falsely accused throughout the media," Bosch told ESPN recently. "I've done nothing wrong."
More from ESPN.com:
One source familiar with the case said the commissioner's office might seek 100-game suspensions for Rodriguez, Braun and other players, the penalty for a second doping offense. The argument, the source said, is that the players' connection to Bosch constitutes one offense, and previous statements to MLB officials denying any such connection or the use of PEDs constitute another. Bosch and his attorneys did not return several calls.
