New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez's inner circle leaked the names of teammate Francisco Cervelli and Milwaukee Brewers hitter Ryan Braun to the media during the MLB's investigation of Biogenesis, "60 minutes" reports (via ESPN).
The leak allegedly occurred two days after the Miami New Times initially broke the Biogenesis story. The New Times published redacted documents describing the company's doping program with various professional athletes, including Rodriguez. People from Rodriguez's inner circle acquired non-redacted versions of the documents and reportedly leaked them to Yahoo! Sports.
Yahoo! Sports was the first media group to report Braun and Cervelli's involvement with Biogenesis, the now-closed anti-aging clinic in South Florida.
If the report is true, it's more trouble for Rodriguez. Aside from alienating himself from his peers, it strengthens the MLB's case against him. MLB officials allege Rodriguez tried to hinder the league's investigation by purchasing documents, misleading investigators and interfering with at least one witness. Leaking the documents is also a violation of the MLB rules, which prohibit the release of any material related to the Joint Drug Agreement.
Rodriguez denied the allegations on Friday through his attorney, David Cornwell.
"These allegations are untrue and are another attempt to harm Alex, this time by driving a wedge between him and other players in the league," Cornwell said in a statement, via ESPN. "While Alex focuses on baseball and repeatedly states that he is going to respect the appeals process, the drumbeat of viciously false leaks will not alter the fact that MLB exceeded its authority under the JDA (Joint Drug Agreement) and the 211 game (suspension) will not stand."
Braun accepted a 65-game suspension, and Cervelli accepted a 50-game suspension. Rodriguez has appealed his suspension and is expected to have his case heard in several weeks by arbitrator Fredric Horowitz.
Until Horowitz makes his ruling, Rodriguez remains in the Yankees lineup.
