Alex Rodriguez just can’t keep his name separate from bad news.
Rodriguez finds his name tied to Miami doctor Anthony Bosch in a report Tuesday morning in the Miami New Times. The Yankees third baseman reportedly received human growth hormone (HGH) as recently as 2012 from the Miami doctor currently being investigated for selling performance-enhancing drugs.
ESPN reported Tuesday afternoon that the Yankees will look into voiding the remaining five years and $114 million on Rodriguez’s contract. The MLB players’ association would likely fight that vehemently.
Other star players also found in the records of Biogenesis, the anti-aging clinic run by Bosch, include Blue Jays outfielder Melky Cabrera, A’s pitcher Bartolo Colon, Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez and others. Both Cabrera and Colon failed MLB drug tests in 2012.
Rodriguez previously admitted to using steroids while a member of the Rangers from 2001-2003, but the records from Biogenesis show he purchased HGH and testosterone, both banned by MLB, in 2009. Rodriguez batted .286 with 30 homers and 100 RBIs in just 124 games that season.
Even more shockingly, Bosch’s notes indicate Rodriguez purchased HGH as recently as spring 2012.
The New York Post’s Joel Sherman released a statement from Rodriguez denying any involvement.
“The news report about a purported relationship between Alex Rodriguez and Anthony Bosch are not true,” representatives of Rodriguez said in the statement. “Alex Rodriguez was not Mr. Bosch’s patient, he was never treated by him and he was treated by him and he was never advised by him. The purported documents referenced in the story — at least as they relate to Alex Rodriguez — are not legitimate.”
MLB can suspend the players even without them failing a test. A first-time suspension — such as Rodriguez or Cruz — would be suspended 50 games.
“We are always extremely disappointed to learn of potential links between
players and the use of performance-enhancing substances,” MLB said in a statement released Tuesday morning. “These
developments, however, provide evidence of the comprehensive nature of
our anti-drug efforts. Through our Department of Investigations, we have
been actively involved in the issues in South Florida.
“We are in the midst of an active investigation and are gathering and
reviewing information. We will refrain from further comment until this
process is complete.”
The Yankees released a three-sentence statement saying they supported the MLB investigation and would have no further comment.
CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reports the New Times has more names connected to the clinic, but are not ready to release them due to less evidence than those already named.
Rodriguez recently underwent hip surgery and was not expected to play in 2013 until after the All-Star break at the earliest.
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