Report: A-Rod Ruling Not Expected This Week
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It seems we'll have at least one more weekend to debate the Alex Rodriguez case.
An arbitrator's decision on A-Rod's 211-game suspension "probably won't be known until next week," according to the New York Post. The Yankees third baseman is appealing the ban handed down Aug. 5 by Major League Baseball under the joint drug agreement.
Twelve players accepted 50-game suspensions related to the league's investigation into Biogenesis and performance-enhancing drugs. Milwaukee Brewers star Ryan Braun served a 65-game ban.
Rodriguez has denied using PEDs since his time with the Texas Rangers from 2001-03.
The Post reported Thursday that independent arbitrator Fredric Horowitz will likely sit tight "at least a few more days" before notifying the sides of his ruling. A-Rod's camp was still awaiting word and wasn't anticipating movement before week's end, the paper reported.
Previous reports indicated that Horowitz's decision to uphold, overturn or reduce A-Rod's suspension could come in the first days of January.
The timing could be interesting with baseball's Hall of Fame announcement scheduled for Wednesday. Several PED-tainted stars remain on the ballot after voters elected not to send a single player to Cooperstown last year.
logically, no a-rod decision likely before or during hall of fame days. so next friday probably is the earliest. #arod
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 3, 2014
A-Rod, who has filed a lawsuit against the league, effectively put an end to his grievance hearing Nov. 20, when he walked out of the proceedings after Horowitz refused to order testimony from Commissioner Bud Selig. He would then make his way to the WFAN studios in Manhattan for a bombshell interview with radio host Mike Francesa.
Rodriguez, 38, is owed $86 million on his 10-year, $275-million contract signed in 2007. He will cost the Yankees $25 million if he plays the entire 2014 season.
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