MLB Roundup: Alex Rodriguez's adviser part of DEA, MLB drug probe
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Major League Baseball are investigating an adviser to Alex Rodriguez adviser who has been linked to performance-enhancing drugs, according to the New York Daily News.
Anthony Bosch has worked with Rodriguez on training, nutrition and dietary supplements, along with other Latin ballplayers in south Florida.
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. Pedro Bosch gave Ramirez a prescription for female fertility drugs for which he tested positive. It was reported that Ramirez, as well as several other players, knew Anthony Bosch.
The Daily News reported there has been a rise in the use of synthetic testosterone and human growth hormone in MLB. The league is trying to determine if the Bosch family is supplying players with PEDs.
Rodriguez, who may miss the 2013 season after having hip surgery, admitted to PED use in 2009.
---The Colorado Rockies and right-handed pitcher Jhoulys Chacin avoided arbitration by agreeing to a two-year, $6.5-million deal, according to MLB.com.
CBS Sports reported that Chacin filed for $2.6 million while the Rockies countered with a $1.7 million offer, but the two sides decided not to go to arbitration. Chacin, 25, made 14 starts last year while battling a pectoralis minor muscle. He was 3-5 with a 4.43 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and had 45 strikeouts in 69 innings.
---Atlanta Braves right-hander Kris Medlen has withdrawn from the World Baseball Classic because he and his wife are expecting a child, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Medlen was selected to the USA team. He went 9-0 with an 0.97 ERA with 84 strikeouts and 10 walks in 83 2/3 innings as a starter last season. He also made 38 relief appearances before becoming a starter. For the year, Medlen was 10-1 with a 1.57 ERA in 138 total innings.
He would have been part of a rotation that includes R.A. Dickey, Derek Holland and Ryan Vogelsong.
Also, New York Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte is still not sure if he wants to participate in the WBC, according to the New York Post. He has a Feb. 20 deadline to decide. He could fill Medlen's spot.
---Major League Baseball is investigating the age of Cuban free-agent shortstop Aledmys Diaz, according to Baseball America.
Diaz, who defected to Mexico, presented himself as a 23-year-old born on Jan. 8, 1990. However, other documents are sources show an Aug. 1, 1990, birthdate. That makes Diaz 22, which makes him subject to international spending caps via MLB's collective bargaining agreement. Teams can sign players who are 23 or older to any amount.
"I only go by the documentation that I have from the player," said Jaime Torres, Diaz's agent. "I've seen from different rosters, different ages for players in Cuba, so I don't pay much attention to what is put on the pages from Cuba. ... Only the player and the family should know the correct date of birth, not the sports authority from Cuba, the Cuban government. What I have, showing his date of birth, is 1/8/90 -- January 8, 1990."
Torres also told Baseball America that MLB wants Diaz to present an unblocking license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control before he can agree to a contract.
Diaz is considered a "modest" prospect, according to Baseball America.
