PED report raises questions about A-Rod's future with Yankees
A bombshell investigative report from a Miami newspaper has accused New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez of using performance-enhancing drugs as recently as last season, leading to questions about his immediate future and his lasting legacy.
"The news report about a purported relationship between Alex Rodriguez and Anthony Bosch are not true," Rodriguez's spokesman said in a released statement. "Alex Rodriguez was not Mr. Bosch's patient, he was never 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."
According to a lengthy article by the Miami New Times, Rodriguez was one of several athletes who were clients of Bosch, the head of a Miami anti-aging clinic that the newspaper alleges to have been a front for the trafficking of performance-enhancing drugs including HGH.
Patient files and handwritten notes obtained by the newspaper from a former employee of the clinic list Rodriguez, Melky Cabrera, Nelson Cruz and others as having received regular shipments from Bosch from 2009 through 2012. Bosch was previously associated with steroids when Manny Ramirez was busted by Major League Baseball in 2009.
"We are always extremely disappointed to learn of potential links between players and the use of performance-enhancing substances," the league said in a statement. "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. It is also important to note that three of the players allegedly involved have already been disciplined under the Joint Drug Program."
The Yankees have refused to comment on the situation while saying they support the league's investigation. Rodriguez previously admitted to using PEDs from 2001 through 2003, but he has denied using them since.
He's currently rehabbing from offseason hip surgery and expected to rejoin the team after the All-Star break. He's under contract for the next five seasons, and there's no precedent for a team being able to void a contract because a player was busted for PEDs.
"This matter is now in the hands of the Commissioner's Office," the Yankees said. "We will have no further comment until that investigation has concluded."