UNDATED (AP) — Baseball’s non-waiver trade deadline has passed, but the countdown to possible steroid suspensions continues.
Alex Rodriguez didn’t stop to talk with reporters after his rehabilitation session at the team’s minor league complex, two days before Major League Baseball is likely to suspend the New York Yankees third baseman for his connection to a clinic accused of distributing banned performance-enhancing drugs.
Rodriguez is on track for a lengthier penalty. He could be kicked out of baseball unless he reaches an agreement. The Yankees expect him to be accused of recruiting other athletes for the clinic, attempting to obstruct MLB’s investigation, and not being truthful with MLB in the past.
A suspension would prevent Rodriguez from playing in any major or minor league games unless the penalty is stayed.
He’s the biggest name that’s in the middle of baseball’s probe of Biogenisis, the out-of-business anti-aging clinic.
Among the others who have been mentioned as part of the investigation are Padres All-Star shortstop Everth Cabrera, Tigers All-Star shortstop Jhonny Peralta and Toronto’s Melky Cabrera. None of them would say whether baseball plans to suspend them.