Report: Rodriguez could be offered plea deal
Representatives for New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez might be trying to work out a plea deal after his interview on Friday with Major League Baseball as part of their investigation into the south Florida anti-aging clinic linked to supplying players with performance-enhancing drugs.
The New York Daily News reported that the possibility of settlements was brought up in meetings with Rodriguez, Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun and other players under suspicion.
The Daily News indicated that Rodriguez could be facing a 150-game suspension and that he was visibly shaken after leaving the meeting with MLB officials and then players' union representatives on Friday afternoon.
However, a Rodriguez spokesman told the Daily News on Saturday night that "nobody from Alex's team has made any such comments (about a plea deal), and as we have said before, we are respecting the process and following the procedures as outlined in the joint agreement."
There is evidence, according to the report, that Rodriguez committed multiple violations of the Joint Drug Agreement that include obtaining performance-enhancing drugs from Anthony Bosch, who opearted the south Florida clinic. Bosch is working with MLB investigators to provide information in the case.
Rodriguez, who is currently on a minor-league rehab assignment while working his way back from hip surgery, did not show up Friday night for high-Class A Tampa's game in which he was scheduled to play, telling Yankees general manager Brian Cashman that he could not make it. The Yankees later said he would not be disciplined.
On Saturday, Rodriguez played in Tampa and went 0-for-3 in his seventh rehab appearance. But he would not address why he was a no-show up Friday for a game that ended up being washed out.
"I think yesterday was rained out," Rodriguez said.
