Report: MLB pays to gain access to clinic documents

In an unprecedented move, Major League Baseball reportedly has purchased documents from a former employee of Biogeneis that link players to performance-enhancing drugs sold by the South Florida clinic.

The New York Times, citing two sources briefed on the events, reported at least one player with ties to the clinic has paid for documents to be destroyed. The player's effort was to keep the clinic's documents away from the MLB investigators.

Meanwhile, the sources said MLB officials bought the other documents to avoid having more players paying to have them destroyed. MLB has no subpoena power and has been unable to claim documents through judicial means.

Also, the Times reported MLB has paid former employees who have cooperated with the investigation.

In March, ESPN reported that Major League Baseball was investigating any players linked to Biogenesis, including Milwaukee Brewers' Ryan Braun and New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez.

ESPN reported that the league was looking into players with ties to the clinic on the heels of minor league player Cesar Carrillo's 100-game suspension.

Braun and Rodriguez are prominently linked to the clinic run by Dr. Dr. Anthony Bosch. Bosch is the son of Dr. Pedro Bosch, whom MLB investigated in 2009 for his PED ties to Manny Ramirez when he played for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The clinic first came to light in a January report by the Miami New Times, which said Alex Rodriguez was listed as one of many athletes linked to Biogenesis. Other major-league players on the list included Melky Cabrera, Bartolo Colon, Nelson Cruz and Yasmani Grandal.

Cabrera, Colon and Grandal were suspended 50 games last season after testing positive for testosterone.

The Biogenesis office has since closed.

Last month, MLB filed a lawsuit against six people connected with Biogensis, accusing the clinic and its employees of damaging the sport. The lawsuit in part was filed to gain access to the clinic's records.