Report: A-Rod outed Braun, others
CBS' "60 Minutes" reported Friday that members of New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez's inner circle obtained and leaked Biogenesis documents that implicated Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Ryan Braun and Yankees teammate Francisco Cervelli.
The documents were leaked a few days after the Miami New Times reported in January that Rodriguez was using performance enhancing drugs.
Braun and Cervelli's names were edited out of the documents the New Times obtained. However, members of Rodriguez's camp had unedited versions of the documents and leaked them to Yahoo! Sports.
"The allegations are untrue and are another attempt to harm Alex -- this time by driving a wedge between Alex and other players in the game. While Alex focuses on baseball and repeatedly states that he is going to respect the appeal process, the drumbeat of false allegations continues," Rodriguez's lawyer, David Cornwell, said in a statement."
Before Friday's game, Rodriguez denied leaking any information about involvement of Braun and Cervelli in Biogenesis.
Rodriguez is appealing a 211-game suspension given by Major League Baseball in the Biogenesis scandal. Braun accepted a 65-game ban. Cervelli and 11 other players are serving 50-game suspensions.
Tony Bosch, founder of Biogenesis, has been cooperating with MLB's investigation of performance-enhancing drugs.
All three of the unedited documents given to Yahoo! Sports include Braun's name. One shows Braun on a Bosch list along with Rodriguez, Cervelli, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Melky Cabrera and minor league pitcher Cesar Carrillo.
Rodriguez received a more harsh suspension because baseball officials claim that he has continued to use PEDs for several years and has attempted to obstruct their investigation.
His appeal is expected to be heard within a few weeks. He has continued to play through the suspension.
MLBPA head Michael Weiner has said he will support Rodriguez's appeal.
"We feel what (MLB commissioner Bud Selig) did, frankly, was inappropriate and almost ridiculous," he said earlier this month. "Look at the penalties that have been (given) out and cases that have been decided by the commissioner's office along with the Players Association. Nothing comes close to 211 games."
It was reported in April that Rodriguez tried to purchase some of Bosch's business records. Rodriguez's camp has denied that as well as any connection to Bosch.
