Alex Rodriguez, other baseball players' fates to be announced by MLB Monday, sources say
Major League Baseball plans to announce Monday which players it's suspending as a result of its investigation into performance-enhancing drugs stemming from the Florida clinic Biogenesis, multiple sources familiar with the discussions have told CBS News.
CBS News previously reported that a lifetime ban is being considered by the league for the New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez, according to a major league team executive. Such a ban is an option for Commissioner Bud Selig under his authority to act in the best interest of the game.
As many as 15 players could be punished in connection with the Biogenesis investigation, according to a major league team executive.
Monday's announcement would be in the form of a paper statement, according to league sources. As of late Saturday afternoon, there were no plans for a press conference.
With a Monday announcement, any player suspended for 50 games, the penalty for first-time offenders, would be able to serve their suspensions and be eligible to play in this year's postseason, which begins Oct. 1.
Some reports say a 6 p.m. Sunday deadline has been set for players to inform the league whether they will accept a suspension or fight it. CBS News cannot confirm the deadline. One source familiar with the negotiations told CBS News "MLB has not set any deadline" as far as he knew.
CBS News has learned that some players appear to have accepted suspensions and others continue to negotiate or consider an appeal, according to a source with knowledge of the negotiations.
Rodriguez was scheduled to play Saturday night for the Yankees' AA-class minor league affiliate in Trenton, N.J. Barring a suspension he would likely rejoin the Yankees Monday.
Players who were suspended last year for positive drug tests - Melky Cabreba, Bartolo Colon and Yasmani Grandal - are not likely to be suspended again. The Joint Drug Agreement prohibits players from being subject to "double jeopardy," according to a spokesman for the Major League Baseball Players Association.