MLB Suspensions of Alex Rodriguez, 12 Other Players

MLB Suspensions of Alex Rodriguez, 12 Other Players

Major League Baseball has handed down substantial suspensions for players involved in the Biogenesis performance-enhancing drug scandal, with Yankees third basemen Alex Rodriguez taking the brunt of punishment. Twelve players have accepted 50-game suspensions from the league. However, A-Rod was suspended for the remainder of the 2013 season and all of 2014 – a total of 211 games.

The players who have been suspended for 50 games will not have the right to appeal, but suspended players whose team qualifies for the postseason will be eligible to participate in the playoffs, which begin Oct. 1, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Big-name players to be suspended included Nelson Cruz of the Texas Rangers, Jhonny Peralta of the Detroit Tigers, and Everth Cabrera of the San Diego Padres. Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli, Philadelphia pitcher Antonio Bastardo, Mets outfielder Jordany Valdespin, and Mariners catcher Jesus Montero were also on the MLB’s list of suspended players.

A-Rod received the harshest sentence because investigators suspect that he committed the most egregious drug and sports law violations. Those close to the matter note that Rodriguez is thought to have recruited other athletes for the Biogenesis clinic that is currently under investigation for distributing performance enhancing drugs and attempted to obstruct MLB’s investigation, according to ESPN.com.

Although other players were handed a lesser suspension for choosing not to appeal the decision, representatives for Rodriguez said he will appeal the league’s suspension, a move that will allow him to continue playing during the appeals process.

“I’m obviously disappointed with the news today,” Rodriguez said in a statement. “No question about it. What we’ve always fought for is the process, and I think we have that. At some point, we’ll sit in front of an arbiter and give it our case.”

Many sports analysts and legal professionals may be watching the outcome closely, as an unsuccessful appeal could stretch serving the penalty into 2015, Fox News reports.