MLB Union Head Blasts Leaks In Biogenesis Investigation
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — The head of the baseball players' union is criticizing leaks to the media about whether players are cooperating with a drug investigation by the commissioner's office.
Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Braun are among the players being interviewed as part of baseball's inquiry of the anti-aging clinic Biogenesis. The now-closed clinic is accused of distributing banned performance-enhancing drugs.
Union executive director Michael Weiner released a statement Thursday saying "repeated leaks threaten to harm the integrity" of the sport's drug agreement.
"The leaking of confidential information to members of the media interferes with the thoroughness and credibility of the Biogenesis investigation," Weiner said in the statement. "These repeated leaks threaten to harm the integrity of the Joint Drug Agreement and call into question the required level of confidentiality needed to operate a successful prevention program."
He added: "The Players want a clean game and they demand a testing program that is not only the toughest in professional sports, but one that guarantees each player due process rights accompanied by strict confidentiality provisions. As I stated last month, the Players Association remains in contact with the Commissioner's Office regarding the investigation, and they continue to assure us that no decisions regarding discipline will be made until the investigation is complete. It would be unfortunate if anyone prejudged the results of the investigation based on unsubstantiated leaks that are a clear violation of the JDA."
Many players, including Braun, reportedly have refused to answer questions about their dealings with Biogenesis. Braun was interviewed last month and Rodriguez is scheduled to be interviewed Friday.
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