Alex Rodriguez was suspended by Major League Baseball for 211 games thanks to his association with the now defunct Biogenesis clinic. A-Rod's team, the Yankees, have come out with a statement defending themselves against allegations that they are in collusion with MLB to get Rodriguez off of the field.
Yankees respond to Alex Rodriguez suspension
The Yankees speak up to deny they have it in for their suspended star.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
"We are in full support of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. We also recognize and respect the appeals process. Until the process under the Drug Program is complete, we will have no comment. We are confident that the process outlined in the Drug Program will result in the appropriate resolution of this matter. In the meantime, the Yankees remain focused on playing baseball.
However, we are compelled to address certain reckless and false allegations concerning the Yankees' role in this matter. The New York Yankees in no way instituted and/or assisted MLB in the direction of this investigation; or used the investigation as an attempt to avoid its responsibilities under a player contract; or did its medical staff fail to provide the appropriate standard of care to Alex Rodriguez.
As you might have seen the last few weeks, A-Rod has been stuck in rehab in the minors, claiming he’s ready to return to the majors, while the Yankees answered with a resounding -- and sometimes curse-filled -- no at each turn -- that’s why New York needs to defend themselves in the first place.
It’s all very serious sounding, as it should be: It would be unfair if the Yankees were intentionally throwing A-Rod under the bus, because, while they would lose Rodriguez, they would recoup all of the money they had promised him were he banned, giving them a way to get out from under the impending luxury tax issues they face.
The Yankees provided us with some levity at the end of all this Serious Talk, though: after a couple of paragraphs focusing on A-Rod, they mentioned their other suspended player, Francisco Cervelli:
Separately, we are disappointed with the news today of the suspension of Francisco Cervelli. It’s clear that he used bad judgment.”
“Done, whatever it’s just Cervelli, hit send.”
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