A-Rod Rodriguez and 12 Other Major League Baseball Players Suspended For Using Steroids

New York Yankee player Alex Rodriguez suspended along with 12 other Major League Baseball players for taking performance-enhancing steroids. 

By H. Nelson Goodson

August 6, 2013

On Monday, Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (BUD) Selig announced the suspension of 13 Major League Baseball (MLB) players including New York Yankee third baseman player Alex Rodriguez, aka, A-Rod. Rodriguez has been suspended without pay for the remainder of the 2013 Championship Season and Postseason and the entire 2014 Championship Season.

Rodriguez's discipline under the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program is based on his use and possession of numerous forms of prohibited performance-enhancing substances, including Testosterone and human Growth Hormone, over the course of multiple years, according to Selig.

MLB found that all of players violated the Joint Drug Prevention & Treatment Program & Basic Agreement for taking or using drug enhancement steroids from a Miami Biogenesis Clinic. 

Rodriguez was suspended for 211 games, until 2014. He is the only MLB player to appeal the suspension, which takes effect on Thursday. Rodriguez suspension was stayed and he will be allowed to play until the appeal process is exhausted and decided, if he in fact took drug enhancement treatments to boost his batting career. Rodriguez violations stem from taking steroids and obstructing the Biogenisis investigation, according the MLB.

Also suspended on Monday for the next 50 games, but won't appeal the suspensions were Antonio Bastardo (Phillies), Everth Cabrera (Padres), Nelson Cruz (Rangers), Francisco Cervelli (Yankees), Fautinos De Los Santos, Sergio Escalona, Fernando Martinez, Jesus Montero (Mariners), Jordan Norberto, Jhonny Peralta (Tigers), Cesar Puello and Jordany Valdespin (Mets).

The MLB investigation found violations committed by either Gio Gonzalez or Danny Valencia.

The following MLB player have completed their 50 game suspension and won't face additional suspensions. They are Melky Cabrera, Bartolo Colón and Yasmani Grandal.

In mid July, the MLB Commission suspended Milwaukee Brewers Ryan Braun for the rest of the season without pay in connection with the MLB illegal doping scandal. Braun was suspended without pay for 65 games and decided not to appeal the suspension. 

Tony Bosch, founder and operator of the Biogenesis of America, an anti-aging clinic had met with the MLB Commission and provided documents indicating phone orders and shipments of performance-enhancing drugs to 21 players suspected of taking them.

Bosch also testified against Milwaukee Brewer Ryan Braun, Yankee star Alex Rodriguez and 19 other players in the league for taking performing-enhancement drugs.

Alex Rodriguez, aka, A-Rod