MLB roundup: Braun suspended for rest of season
Major League Baseball suspended Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun without pay for the remainder of the 2013 regular season and postseason for violation of the Basic Agreement and its Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, the league announced Monday.
The suspension is effective immediately, as Braun will not contest the suspension.
He admitted his culpability in a statement released through Major League Baseball:
"As I have acknowledged in the past, I am not perfect. I realize now that I have made some mistakes. I am willing to accept the consequences of those actions. This situation has taken a toll on me and my entire family, and it is has been a distraction to my teammates and the Brewers organization. I am very grateful for the support I have received from players, ownership and the fans in Milwaukee and around the country. Finally, I wish to apologize to anyone I may have disappointed - all of the baseball fans especially those in Milwaukee, the great Brewers organization, and my teammates. I am glad to have this matter behind me once and for all, and I cannot wait to get back to the game I love."
Braun's suspension follows Major League Baseball's investigation of the Biogenesis clinic.
Braun had won an appeal to avoid suspension after allegedly violating baseball's drug policy in 2011.
Braun was named the National League MVP in 2011 and is hitting .298 with nine homers this season.
--- New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is all but assured of being suspended because of his connections with South Florida clinic Biogenesis, CBS Sports reported.
Rodriguez is one of about 15 players expected to be suspended when Major League baseball makes an announcement, perhaps within two weeks.
Rodriguez reportedly would not answer questions from MLB investigators in their probe of Biogenesis.
--- Chicago Cubs pitcher Matt Garza has been scratched from his scheduled start on Monday, because the Cubs have reached an agreement to trade Garza to the Texas Rangers, multiple media outlets reported.
As many as four players are headed to the Cubs in exchange for Garza, with two minor-league prospects -- third baseman Mike Olt and pitcher C.J. Edwards - as well as pitcher Justin Grimm being part of the package going to Chicago, according to Foxsports.com. A player to be named later is also expected to be sent to Chicago.
Garza and the other players must still pass physicals for the deal to be completed.
Garza, 29, is 6-1 with a 3.17 ERA in 71 innings this season. Since June 11, he is 5-0 with a 1.24 ERA in 43 2/3 innings.
---The Chicago White Sox activated first baseman Paul Konerko from the 15-day disabled list. Konerko has been out since July 3 because of a lower back strain.
The club opened up a roster spot for Konerko on Sunday by optioning infielder Brent Morel to Class AAA Charlotte.
---Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp was not in Monday's lineup against the Toronto Blue Jays due to an ankle sprain.
Kemp sustained the injury while sliding into home plate in the ninth inning of Sunday's 9-2 win over the Washington Nationals. He had just returned from the disabled list after recovering from a shoulder injury.
---The Washington Nationals fired hitting coach Rick Eckstein, the team announced.
He was replaced by Rick Schu, who has been the team's minor league hitting coordinator the past four years.
