On the brink of a major sports drug scandal, Major League Baseball is reportedly on the verge of suspending nearly 20 players due to their suspected connection with the now-defunct Biogenesis of America Lab, a clinic that allegedly provided multiple ballplayers with performance-enhancing drugs.
According to ESPN, the Miami-based clinic formerly run by founder Tony Bosch has been the focus of an ongoing drug scandal that surrounds current active players Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun. Rodriguez hasn't played this season due to injury while Braun bats in the heart of the struggling Milwaukee lineup.
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Bosch agreed to cooperate with MLB officials and their ongoing investigation and it is believed that information the former clinic owner will share with investigators is going to be enough to suspend upwards of 20 players, including the aforementioned Rodriguez and Braun. Meetings between Bosch and officials are said to begin within a week, so expect this situation to continue to develop as names begin to rise amid steroid allegations.
As Vibe.com reports, Tony Bosch kept notes of each player he allegedly supplied illegal substances to and if it comes to fruition that banned drugs were supplied to the nearly 20 players named in Tuesday night's initial report, Major League Baseball will certainly become the focal point of the largest drug scandal in American sports history, something that would undoubtedly tarnish the games reputation more than any other time steroids and professional baseball have been mentioned in the same breath.
Of the 15 names released Monday, 14 are currently active on Major League rosters. Along with Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez and Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun, Toronto outfielder Melky Cabrera, Texas slugger Nelson Cruz, Mariners catcher Jesus Montero and Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli are among some of the more recognizable names mentioned.
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Along with those six players, Oakland A's pitcher Bartolo Colon, Nationals star pitcher Gio Gonzalez, Tigers infielder Jhonny Peralta, Astros outfielder Fernando Martinez, San Diego shortstop Everth Cabrera and catcher Yasmani Grandal were also mentioned in the list of players who could face disciplinary action.
Fautino de los Santos, free agent Joran Norberto and New York Mets minor leaguer Cesar Puello round out the early slate of names.
With the 2013 Major League Baseball season in full swing, the news of possible suspensions across the board will not sit well with fans, organizations and the obvious MLB officials who will need to deal with the ongoing investigations and potential handing out of suspensions.
The current MLB steroid policy calls for a 50-game suspension for a first time offender, while a second positive test will result in a 150-game suspension. If any player should fail a drug test for a third time, the next penalty will come with a lifetime ban from the game of baseball.
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In an attempt to go somewhat against the current policy, a source close to the touchy situation reports that current MLB commissioner Bud Selig may seek 100-game suspensions for both Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Braun should they be found guilty of any wrongdoing. Rodriguez admitted to using PED's from 2001-2003 while Braun had a 50-game suspension last season because of improper handling of a urine sample, after one sample tested positive for high levels of testosterone.
For now, all baseball fans can do is sit and wait for this state of affairs to further develop.
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