Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Braun headline a large list of players that are reportedly expected to face suspensions from Major League Baseball shortly after the 2013 All-Star break.
According to T.J. Quinn and Mike Fish of ESPN, these players are likely to be suspended for their connection to the Biogenesis performance-enhancing drugs scandal.
However, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that MLB officials say the ESPN report is premature and nothing has been decided as of yet:
Biogenesis founder Tony Bosch has fully cooperated with the MLB investigation, reportedly handing over incriminating documents that link the players to his PED clinic, according to Quinn and Fish.
Per ESPN’s report, Braun refused to answer any questions about the scandal in a meeting with MLB officials on June 29.
Alex Rodriguez will meet with MLB officials on Friday to answer questions about his alleged connections to the Miami clinic, according to a staff report from the New York Daily News.
Both Braun and Rodriguez could potentially face 100-game suspensions—the penalty doled out to players for a second offense. The argument for the longer suspensions, per ESPN’s report, would be that the pair of sluggers committed multiple offenses by receiving the drugs and then lying about it.
Rodriguez’s use of PEDs between 2001 and 2003 will also be a topic of conversation during Friday’s meeting, per the New York Daily News. The report also states that Rodriguez’s $100 million deal could be in jeopardy if the third baseman is suspended.
Should A-Rod opt for the physically unable to perform list, he would be guaranteed the full amount of his contract upon retirement.
Sources close to Rodriguez believe he has formulated a defense that will exonerate him from the scandal. The three-time American League MVP is currently playing for the Yankees’ Single-A affiliate.
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