Tigers SS Peralta: "I made a terrible mistake"
CLEVELAND (AP) Detroit Tigers All-Star shortstop Jhonny Peralta has apologized for a 50-game suspension he received from Major League Baseball.
Peralta was one of 13 players disciplined Monday for his relationship to Biogenesis of America, a closed anti-aging clinic in Florida accused of distributing banned performing-enhancing drugs.
In a statement released by the Tigers, Peralta said in "spring of 2012, I made a terrible mistake that I deeply regret." Peralta apologized to his teammates and "the great fans in Detroit. "
The 31-year-old Peralta said he knows he let "many good people down" and wants to earn back their respect.
Peralta's suspension is a damaging blow to the Tigers, who entered Monday's series opener against Cleveland with a three-game lead over the Indians in the AL Central. He is hitting .305 with 11 homers and 54 RBIs.
Last week, the Tigers acquired infielder Jose Iglesias from Boston in case they lost Peralta.
