(RNN) – Major League Baseball suspended New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez for 211 games Monday on allegations of performance-enhancing drug use.
The suspension, covering the rest of the 2013, the postseason and the 2014 season, is scheduled to go into effect Thursday.
“Rodriguez’s discipline under the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program is based on his use and possession of numerous forms of prohibited performance-enhancing substances, including testosterone and human growth hormone, over the course of multiple years,” an MLB release stated.
He would be 40 years old before he can return to the sport if the ruling is upheld. The former All-Star slugger’s agent announced they planned to appeal any suspension.
Rodriguez would be allowed to play during the appeal process, MLB stated, and he was expected to play in Monday’s Yankees-White Sox matchup.
The announcement came shortly after MLB suspended 12 players 50 games each for their suspected roles in the case on Biogenesis clinic and performance-enhancing drugs.
Fox Sports reported the 12 have accepted their punishments and will not appeal.
Notable players suspended include Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, Detroit Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta and Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Antonio Bastardo. Cruz and Peralta’s respective clubs are in the midst of challenging for a playoff berth; both would be eligible to return for postseason play.
Three players connected to Biogenesis had already served 50-game suspensions for positive drug tests and would not receive further punishment, according to Fox Sports. They were Oakland Athletics pitcher Bartolo Colon, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Melky Cabrera and San Diego Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal.
The Washington Nationals’ Gio Gonzalez and Baltimore Orioles’ Danny Valencia were cleared of wrongdoing.
Other suspended players:
- Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera
- Padres pitcher Fautino De Los Santos
- Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli
- Yankees outfielder Fernando Martinez
- New York Mets outfielder Jordany Valdespin
- Mets outfielder Cesar Puello
- Seattle Mariners catcher Jesus Montero
- Houston Astros reliever Sergio Escalona
- Free agent pitcher Jordan Norberto
Miami-based Biogenesis, a so-called anti-aging clinic, has been under a lengthy investigation by MLB for allegations it provided steroids to baseball players and other athletes.
SOURCE: 19ActionNews.com
Article and Picture Courtesy of WOIO 19 Action News
