Twelve Major League Baseball players (not named Alex Rodriguez) have accepted suspensions from the league for 50 games in connection to the Biogenesis case, according to FOXSports.com. An official announcement said the New York Yankees third baseman is suspended for the rest of the season and through 2014.*
Rodriguez has been given a 211-game suspension, beginning what is expected to be a very long legal battle.
The 12 other suspended players are:
Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz
Detroit Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jordany Valdespin
San Diego Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera
New York Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli
Seattle Mariners catcher and designated hitter Jesus Montero
New York Mets outfielder Cesar Puello
Houston Astros minor league relief pitcher Sergio Escalona
San Diego Padres minor league relief pitcher Fautino De Los Santos
New York Yankees minor league outfielder Fernando Martinez
Free-agent pitcher Jordan Norberto
Each of the these players were suspended due to evidence MLB discovered while investigating a Biogenesis anti-aging clinic located in Coral Gables, Florida.
The 12 players, and other major leaguers, were purportedly administered performance-enhancing drugs by the clinic and Anthony Bosch, the clinic’s founder.
Documents from the Biogenesis investigation contained a host of players’ names. Prior to this suspension, Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun was suspended for the rest of the season on July 22.
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Melky Cabrera , Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal and Los Angeles Angels pitcher Bartolo Colon were also named in the documents. However, they have all previously served 50-suspensions in connection to P.E.D.’s. Cabrera and Colon served theirs in 2012 and Grandal served his suspension in the beginning of the season.
Cruz, Peralta and Cabrera are probably the most important pieces of the 12 players suspended. Cruz (.269, 27 HR and 76 RBIs) was second on the Rangers this season in homers and RBIs. Peralta is fourth on the Tigers in batting average (.305) and has added 11 homeruns and 54 RBIs. Cabrera was also having a great season for the Padres with a .283 batting average, .355 on-base percentage and 37 stolen bases.
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez and Baltimore Orioles third baseman Danny Valencia were named in connection to the scandal through reports from the media. However, both other their names have been cleared.
*Click here for more coverage on Alex Rodriguez's Suspension
**Stats according to ESPN.com.
