MLB Investigators Reportedly Set To Grill A-Rod, Others On Biogenesis
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Major League Baseball investigators will soon sit down with players named in the sport's Biogenesis scandal, according to the New York Daily News.
Yankees star Alex Rodriguez was among those linked to the now-shuttered South Florida clinic, which allegedly supplied performance-enhancing drugs to MLB pros and prospects. Rodriguez, who admitted in 2009 to using steroids from 2001-03 with the Texas Rangers, has denied involvement and insisted in a statement that he has no relationship with Biogenesis head Anthony Bosch.
Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Melky Cabrera and Washington Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez were among the other players named in the records of Biogenesis via various reports.
A-Rod & Co. will be questioned by baseball "shortly after the season begins next week," the Daily News reported.
MLB filed a lawsuit against the clinic and its operators last week, saying it has endured "costs of investigation, loss of goodwill, loss of revenue and profits and injury to its reputation, image, strategic advantage and fan relationships."
Aside from seeking monetary compensation, MLB's investigation could be bolstered by the lawsuit through witness depositions and subpoenas for documents. The Miami New Times, which blew the doors open on Biogenesis in January, has declined to hand over its records to the league.
Baseball has grilled only one player so far -- Detroit Tigers minor leaguer Cesar Carrillo, according to the Daily News. He was later suspended.
MLB can suspend a player for PEDs without a positive test if it believes it finds justifiable evidence.
"We've gotten a lot of info already," a source told the paper. "Now we're trying to lock it in."
MLB investigators are also "looking at testimony provided to federal authorities" by A-Rod and others in the case of disgraced Toronto sports physician Anthony Galea, who was sentenced to time served in 2011 for bringing banned and mislabeled drugs — including HGH — into the U.S., the Daily News reported last month.
A-Rod isn't at the Yankees' complex in Tampa with the rest of the team -- he's instead rehabbing from offseason hip surgery in New York.
Manager Joe Girardi said last week he expects to see Rodriguez at Yankee Stadium for Opening Day on April 1.
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