Major League Baseball brought down the hammer on Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun for performance-enhancing drug use, and it was only a matter of time before fellow players suffered the same fate.
UPDATE: Monday, Aug. 5, at 3:55 p.m. ET by Brandon Galvin
From
New York Post's Joel Sherman:
---End of update---
UPDATE: Monday, Aug. 5, at 3:50 p.m. ET by Brandon Galvin
From
MLB Players Association:
'The accepted suspensions announced today are consistent with the punishments set forth in the Joint Drug Agreement, and were arrived at only after hours of intense negotiations between the bargaining parties, the players and their representatives.
For the player appealing, Alex Rodriguez, we agree with his decision to fight his suspension. We believe that the Commissioner has not acted appropriately under the Basic Agreement. Mr. Rodriguez knows that the Union, consistent with its history, will defend his rights vigorously.'
---End of update---
UPDATE: Monday, Aug. 5, at 3:03 p.m. ET by Brandon Galvin
MLB Public Relations announced that Alex Rodriguez was suspended 211 games for his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal:
Alex Rodriguez of New York Yankees suspended 211 Regular Season Games through 2014 season. ...
Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig announced today that third baseman Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees has been suspended without pay for the remainder of the 2013 Championship Season and Postseason and the entire 2014 Championship Season for violations of the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program and the Basic Agreement.
MLB Public Relations provided insight into the decision behind Rodriguez's suspension:
Rodriguez's discipline under the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program is based on his use and possession of numerous forms of prohibited performance-enhancing substances, including Testosterone and human Growth Hormone, over the course of multiple years. Rodriguez's discipline under the Basic Agreement is for attempting to cover-up his violations of the Program by engaging in a course of conduct intended to obstruct and frustrate the Office of the Commissioner's investigation. The suspension, which will become effective on Thursday, August 8th, will cover 211 Championship Season games and any 2013 Postseason games in which Rodriguez otherwise would have been eligible to play.
MLB Public Relations also confirmed the previous reported suspensions:
MLB issued the following discipline today for violations of the Joint Drug Prevention & Treatment Program in relation to the Biogenesis investigation. Players receiving 50-game suspensions without pay for their violations of the Program are:
• Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Antonio Bastardo;
• San Diego Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera;
• New York Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli;
• Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz;
• Padres pitcher Fautino De Los Santos, who is currently on the roster of the Double-A San Antonio Missions of the Texas League;
• Houston Astros pitcher Sergio Escalona, who is currently of the roster of the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks of the Texas League;
• Yankees outfielder Fernando Martinez, who is currently on the roster of the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of the International League;
• Seattle Mariners catcher Jesus Montero, who is currently on the roster of the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League;
• Free agent pitcher Jordan Norberto;
• Detroit Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta;
• New York Mets outfielder Cesar Puello, who is currently on the roster of the Double-A Binghamton Mets of the Eastern League; and
• Mets infielder/outfielder Jordany Valdespin, who is currently on the roster of the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s of the Pacific Coast League.
MLB Public Relations also shed light on the rest of the players involved:
Norberto’s suspension will be effective immediately once he signs with another Major League organization. All other suspensions are effective immediately. None of the players will appeal their discipline.
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Melky Cabrera, Oakland Athletics pitcher Bartolo Colon and Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal, all of whom already have served 50-game suspensions as a result of their violations of the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program stemming from their connections to Biogenesis, will not receive additional discipline.
Major League Baseball’s investigation found no violations of the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program by either Washington Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez or Baltimore Orioles infielder Danny Valencia.
From ESPN's Jerry Crasnick:
From Nelson Cruz, courtesy of
ESPNDallas.com:
I have been notified by the Commissioner of Major League Baseball that I have been suspended for 50 games for violation of the Joint Drug Agreement. I have decided to accept this suspension and not exercise my rights under the Basic Agreement to appeal. From November, 2011 to January, 2012, I was seriously ill with a gastrointestinal infection, helicobacter pylori, which went undiagnosed for over a month. By the time I was properly diagnosed and treated, I had lost 40 pounds. Just weeks before I was to report to spring training in 2012, I was unsure whether I would be physically able to play. Faced with this situation, I made an error in judgment that I deeply regret, and I accept full responsibility for that error. I should have handled the situation differently, and my illness was no excuse. I am thankful for the unwavering support of my family, friends, and teammates during this difficult time. I look forward to regaining the trust and respect of the Rangers organization, my teammates, and the great Rangers’ fans, and I am grateful for the opportunity to rejoin the team for the playoffs.
---End of update---
Fox Sports'
Ken Rosenthal first reported that 12 MLB players implicated in the
Biogenesis case have accepted 50-game suspensions:
Here is the
full list of players reportedly suspended, courtesy of Craig
Calcaterra of Hardball Talk:
Player | Team |
Antonio Bastardo | Philadelphia Phillies |
Cesar Puello | New York Mets |
Everth Cabrera | San Diego Padres |
Fautino De Los Santos | San Diego Padres |
Fernando Martinez | New York Yankees |
Francisco Cervelli | New York Yankees |
Jesus Montero | Seattle Mariners |
Jhonny Peralta | Detroit Tigers |
Jordan Norberto | Free Agent |
Jordany Valdespin | New York Mets |
Nelson Cruz | Texas Rangers |
Sergio Escalona | Houston Astros |