Report: No physical evidence Rodriguez paid clinic
ESPN reported Saturday that New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez paid a former Biogenesis clinic employee to prevent the release of documents that could potentially damage him.
However, Major League Baseball investigators looking into the dealings of the clinic have no physical evidence linking Rodriguez to any payments, according to the report.
The New York Times reported Friday that the investigators had evidence that Rodriguez purchased documents from a clinic employee but ESPN reported that a source close to the investigation said that was untrue.
The Miami-based clinic is suspected of providing performance-enhancing drugs to major league players, including Rodriguez. A spokesman for Rodriguez denied the allegation Friday.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Saturday he does not have much to say about the allegations.
"It's an MLB issue. That's my reaction," he said to reporters before the Yankees game against the Baltimore Orioles. "Do I get a memo on my desk? No. I don't get a memo on my desk. I think everyone probably hears about it when you watch SportsCenter -- if you choose to watch SportsCenter -- but that's kind of the only way you kind of find out about it."
Rodriguez is rehabbing from arthroscopic left hip surgery performed in January. He hopes to rejoin the Yankees' lineup after the All-Star break.
Girardi said that Rodriguez was not with the team on Friday or Saturday, but he speaks to him on a weekly basis, mainly about how his rehab is progressing.
"How he's doing and what he's doing," Girardi said. "The last time we talked he was in the pool doing a lot of exercising, which to me is a good sign because it means he's making progress in his rehab."
If MLB can obtain either physical evidence or sworn statements, Rodriguez could face suspension from baseball, and could also face possible criminal charges, according to the ESPN report.
The Miami New Times reported in January that it obtained medical records from the clinic that tied several players, including Rodriguez, Melky Cabrera, Gio Gonzalez, Bartolo Colon, Nelson Cruz and Yasmani Grandal, to the use of banned substances like human growth hormone.
More records then emerged that tied other players to the clinic.
