Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
A-Rod Could Face 100 Game Suspension For Alleged Ties To HGH Clinic
By
Jen Chung
Published Jun 4, 2013
Modified Jun 5, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Pacific Coast News
By
Jen Chung
Published Jun 4, 2013
Modified Jun 5, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Numerous baseball players, including the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez, may be suspended by Major League Baseball for their relationships with a Miami health clinic that was a front for a human growth hormone ring.
ESPN's "Outside the Lines" broke the news:
Tony Bosch, founder of the now-shuttered Biogenesis of America, reached an agreement this week to cooperate with MLB's investigation, two sources told 'Outside the Lines,' giving MLB the ammunition officials believe they need to suspend the players.
One source familiar with the case said the commissioner's office might seek 100-game suspensions for Rodriguez, Braun and other players, the penalty for a second doping offense. The argument, the source said, is the players' connection to Bosch constitutes one offense, and previous statements to MLB officials denying any such connection or the use of PEDs constitute another....
The development is a major break for MLB, which has pursued the case vigorously since Bosch's name was brought to MLB's attention last summer. In exchange for Bosch's full cooperation, sources said, Major League Baseball will drop the lawsuit it filed against Bosch in March, indemnify him for any liability arising from his cooperation, provide personal security for him and even put in a good word with any law enforcement agency that might bring charges against him. Sources said negotiations over the agreement, which lasted several weeks, stalled over the last point, as Bosch wanted the strongest assurances he could get that MLB would help mitigate any prosecution.
The Daily News reports that Bosh is "apparently desperate for money, according to the source, and MLB was rushing to complete the deal because it is concerned that one of the players involved in baseball’s latest doping scandal might offer him money not to cooperate." The source said, "They were afraid someone else would pay him. Bosch is the only guy who can provide them with what they need."
Among the players who supposedly face suspensions: A-Rod, Ryan Braun, Nelson Cruz, Melky Cabrera, Bartolo Colon, Gio Gonzalez, Yasmani Grandal, Francisco Cervelli, Jesus Montero, Jhonny Peralta, Fernando Martinez, Everth Cabrera, Fautino de los Santos and Jordan Noberto.
The Miami New Times's investigation into Biogenesis revealed the simmering scandal. Bosch apparently kept a notebook and Rodriguez's name is repeatedly in it: "Alex Rodriguez appears 16 times in the documents we reviewed. His name is recorded as 'Alex Rod' or 'Alex R.' or by his nickname at the clinic, 'Cacique.' This is particularly interesting because on ESPN, he acknowledged using PEDs but said he stopped in 2003. It's also important to note that Rodriguez's cousin, Miami resident Yuri Sucart, frequently appears in the same records on the same days as Rodriguez. Sucart has been identified in the past as Rodriguez's source for performance-enhancing drugs."
In 2009, Rodriguez publicly admitted he used a steroid—but claimed he had no idea it was a steroid at the time. He faces a 100-game suspension because it would be his second doping offense. However, if players are suspended, they can appeal and question evidences and witnesses. ESPN notes there may be a lack of evidence, "Several sources told ESPN that Bosch dealt only in cash and usually used friends as couriers, sometimes never seeing some of the athletes he served."
Tagged
alex rodriguez
baseball
biogenesis
espn
hgh
mlb
steroids
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot by ICE in NYC still has bullet lodged in neck, attorneys say
Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old immigrant from the Dominican Republic, was in solitary confinement at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park on Monday.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Oct 12, 2026 at 11:37 a.m. ET
NY measles spread prompts 'disaster' emergency. It didn't have to be this way, health commissioner says.
The state health commissioner says the disease outbreak is wholly preventable.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
News
NY measles spread prompts 'disaster' emergency. It didn't have to be this way, health commissioner says.
The state health commissioner says the disease outbreak is wholly preventable.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
NYC wants to move deliveries onto the waterways. It's starting with a 55-year-old boat.
By
Liam Quigley
Inside the luxury Greenpoint high-rise powered by a rumbling generator for over a month
By
David Brand
Mayor Mamdani orders review of NYPD use of force policies
By
Michael Sol Warren
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .