MLB will suspend as many as 20 active players, including Ryan Braun and Alex Rodriguez, as a result of their alleged involvement with the PED-linked Biogenesis clinic, T.J. Quinn and Mike Fish of ESPN's "Outside the Lines" report.
MLB Biogenesis scandal: Suspensions imminent, per report
MLB could be taking some unprecedented steps as it looks to suspend players over the Biogenesis scandal.
The news comes after a meeting that took place June 29 between Braun and MLB investigators to discuss his connections to the Miami-based Biogenesis clinic and its owner, Anthony Bosch. The Milwaukee Brewers outfielder reportedly refused to answer any questions after past denials of PED use.
Cases against alleged offenders began to be put together last month once the Biogenesis owner decided to provide MLB with key evidence.
At this point, Quinn and Fish say the looming question is how long these suspensions might last.
They say the commissioner’s office has been considering 100-game bans for Braun and Rodriguez, the punishment handed out to second-time offenders, which would be unprecedented given neither player has served first offenses yet. Still, MLB may be angling to suspend them for failing to cooperate with investigators, Quinn and Fish report, claiming they are second-time offenders as they, “committed multiple offenses by receiving performance-enhancing drugs from Bosch and by lying about it.”
Surely, the MLB Players Association will aggressively appeal against these kinds of suspensions, which could have major long-term repercussions for the way the drug policy is enforced. It appears MLB is ready to go to bat on the issue, however, which could lead to some messy proceedings in the coming months.
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