Major League Baseball brought the hammer down on Alex Rodriguez as they announced the Biogenesis suspensions on Monday, handing out a 211 game ban that is set to start on Thursday and it is expected that the Yankees star will appeal.
"Rodriguez's discipline under the Basic Agreement is for attempting to cover-up his violations of the program by engaging in a course of conduct intended to obstruct and frustrate the Office of the Commissioner's investigation," commish Bud Selig said in the statement.
The Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers will be without two of their best players in Jhonny Peralta and Nelson Cruz and now both teams must figure out how to stay in the playoff hunt without them. The Tigers made a trade for Jose Iglesias to help stave off the suspension, while the Rangers are desperate for more offense now.
"I should have handled the situation differently, and my illness was no excuse," Cruz said in the news release. "I am thankful for the unwavering support of my family, friends, and teammates during this difficult time. I look forward to regaining the trust and respect of the Rangers organization, my teammates, and the great Rangers' fans, and I am grateful for the opportunity to rejoin the team for the playoffs."
According to reports, the full list of players includes names like Everth Cabrera, Jesus Montero, Jordany Valdespin, Antonio Bastardo and Francisco Cervelli and more came out after the deal was announced that the media didn't know about yet. Rodriguez is expected to get the harshest treatment and now those 12 players will serve 50-game bans.
Milwaukee outfielder Ryan Braun already reached a deal for 65 games and many are ready for Rodriguez to appeal and he may be in the lineup on Monday night against the White Sox. Rumors report that A-Rod will be suspended through the 2014 season and he plans to appeal.
The list includes:
Nelson Cruz, Rangers outfielder
Everth Cabrera, Padres shortstop
Jhonny Peralta, Tigers shortstop
Antonio Bastardo, Phillies reliever
Francisco Cervelli, Yankees catcher (on DL)
Jordany Valdespin, Mets outfielder (minors)
Jesus Montero, Mariners catcher (minors)
Cesar Puello, Mets outfielder (minors)
Sergio Escalona, Astros pitcher (minors)
Fernando Martinez, Yankees outfielder (minors)
Fautino De Los Santos, free-agent pitcher
Jordan Norberto, free-agent pitcher
Major League Baseball has been rumored to be announcing the suspensions for the players involved in the Biogenesis clinic for weeks and now it appears that the day has finally arrived, as the suspensions are expected to be handed down on Monday at 3 PM.
According to Jeff Passan at Yahoo Sports, the announcements are coming on Monday and likely will include a lengthy one for Alex Rodriguez as well as other lengths for players like Jesus Montero, Nelson Cruz, Jhonny Peralta, Everth Cabrera and many others. Montero has already told the Tacoma Rainers that he won't be with the team and Rodriguez is expected to appeal and play tonight as the Yankees are planning to put him in the lineup.
The suspensions have been a long time coming and players are very curious to see what will happen with Rodriguez and how the MLB announces the suspensions and what exactly they will be for. The players besides Rodriguez are expected to get 50 game bans, while A-Rod is expected to be banned through 2014 and sources say he will appeal.
Based on reports, Rodriguez was working on a deal with the MLB, but it appears to be hung up on money and how many games he will be suspended. Rodriguez has been out if the lineup all season while recovering from hip surgery and the suspension is expected to keep him out for this year and possibly in 2014 as well. Rodriguez has never been caught in a positive test, although he did admit to using steroids while with the Texas Rangers from 2001 to 2003 before joining the Yankees. On top of all the suspension and steroid speculation connected to the Biogenesis of America anti-aging clinic, Rodriguez had a dispute with the Yankees over how hurt his quad was, prompting him to see an outside doctor for a second opinion.
Rodriguez said that he didn't trust the Yankees doctor and that he was ready to play sooner than the schedule they had him on and now there is a chance he will never take the field again.
