New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez will likely be suspended by Major League Baseball for his alleged connection to performance-enhancing drugs. Rodriguez is rumored to be among 20 players associated with the Miami-area clinic Biogenesis, which is linked to distributing the banned substances, ESPN reports.
Rodriguez, Milwaukee Brewers slugger Ryan Braun and Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Melky Cabrera are the most notable of the 20 MLB players likely to face discipline, are accused of receiving performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) from the now-closed Biogenesis clinic. Tony Bosch, the founder of the clinic, agreed earlier this week to cooperate with the MLB's doping investigation. MLB officials believe Bosch's assistance will give the league enough evidence to dole out suspensions.
If the evidence warrants suspensions, the Biogenesis scandal would be the largest PED scandal in American sports history.
ESPN reports a source as saying the league might seek a 100-game suspension for Rodriguez, Braun and other players. The league would reportedly argue 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 is expected to meet with MLB officials on Friday to begin assisting with the investigation, and suspensions could follow within the next two weeks.
Bosch is essential to the league's investigation. MLB officials have had records naming the 20 players for more than a month, but they need Bosch to swear in a statement that the records are accurate. Bosch's cooperation follows in an attempt to avoid criminal charges, as well as a lawsuit from the MLB.
ESPN wrote: "In exchange for Bosch's cooperation, sources said, Major League Baseball will drop the lawsuit it filed against Bosch in March, indemnify him for any liability arising from his cooperation, provide personal security for him and even put in a good word with any law enforcement agency that might bring charges against him."
Rodriguez is recovering from hip surgery. Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman recently questioned the 37-year-old's ability to "live up" to his 10-year, $275 million contract.
Steinbrenner also responded this week to a PED question regarding Rodriguez by saying the player is "innocent until proven guilty."
