Biogenesis scandal: MLBPA responds to suspension report with statement

The MLB Players Association released a statement Wednesday morning in regards to the ongoing Biogenesis investigation, in it indicating that Tuesday’s ESPN Outside the Lines report about the league seeking to hand out 100-game suspensions is at least premature in its allegations:

”The Players Association has been in regular contact with the Commissioner’s Office regarding the Biogenesis investigation. They are in the process of interviewing players and every player has been or will be represented by an attorney from the Players Association. The Commissioner’s Office has assured us that no decisions regarding discipline have been made or will be made until those interviews are completed. It would be unfortunate if anyone prejudged those investigations.

“The Players Association has every interest in both defending the rights of players and in defending the integrity of our joint program. We trust that the Commissioner’s Office shares these interests.”

While everything in the report could still end up coming true, the union’s statement makes it very clear that any form of official punishment is still a ways off. While the language in the statement is amicable for the most part, the final two sentences make it clear that the union will have no problem going after the commissioner’s office if/when it does decide to dole out suspensions.

• Suspensions coming to Biogenesis-linked players

• Neyer: MLB had to act | Goldman: No one looks good

• Interview: Fay Vincent on the never-ending steroid era

• MLB draft: Scouting report roundup

• MLB draft: Team budgets and first-round values

• MLB draft: Key pitchers to know | Key hitters