MLB

MLB hands down 211-game suspension for A-Rod, star says past 7 months have been a ‘nightmare,’ union head thinks appeal process won’t end till after season

Alex Rodriguez singles in the 2nd inning.

Alex Rodriguez singles in the 2nd inning. (Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post)

CHICAGO — It’s official: Major League Baseball has suspended Alex Rodriguez for 211 games, effective Thursday.

The Yankees’ beleaguered third baseman will appeal the sentence, allowing him to make his 2013 debut tonight in an 8-1 loss to the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field, where he batted cleanup and played third base. Union head Michael Weiner said the appeal process will likely last until the offseason, meaning the Yankees could have him for the rest of the year.

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“The last seven months have been a nightmare,” Rodriguez said in his pregame press conference. “It’s been the worst time of my life, for sure. Obviously for the circumstances that are at hand and also dealing with a very tough surgery and rehab program and being 38. I am thrilled and humbled to have the opportunity to put on this uniform again and play major league baseball again.”

In his first at-bat since Game 4 of last year’s American League Championship Series, Alex Rodriguez hit a bloop single to left on a 2-0 pitch and moved to third on Vernon Wells’ double into the left-field corner.

However, he would advance no further, as Curtis Granderson and Ichiro Suzuki popped out before Eduardo Nunez struck out to end the inning.

In his second at-bat, Rodriguez flew out to center field.

In his third at-bat, Rodriguez flew out to left field.

In his fourth and final at-bat, Rodriguez struck out looking on a full count.

Commissioner Bud Selig issued the long-awaited press release today.

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A-Rod is one of 13 players whom MLB disciplined as part of its investigation into Biogenesis, the now-shuttered anti-aging clinic in South Florida, and he is the only one to appeal his sentence, which is far longer than that of the others. The Yankees and Rodriguez both released statements of their own.

Rodriguez was given several chances to deny PED use before the game, but opted not to and instead insisted there would be a proper time for that discussion.

“I am fighting for my life. I have to defend myself or no one else will,” Rodriguez said.

The Yankees denied Rodriguez’s assertion that the team and MLB were working together to help void his massive contract.

“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,” the team said.

“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. Separately, we are disappointed with the news today of the suspension of Francisco Cervelli. It’s clear that he used bad judgment.”

When asked about that Rodriguez did not back down: “I said what I said.”

Rodriguez released a statement of his own before speaking to the media saying he was “eager to get back on the field and be with my teammates in Chicago tonight.”

Manager Joe Girardi remained as neutral as possible in his pregame comments.

“You hope the resolution is that he’s clean. That’s the resolution you hope for,” Girardi said.

Cervelli, currently injured, and controversial Mets minor leaguer Jordany Valdespin agreed on a 50-game suspension, as did Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta, former Yankee Jesus Montero (now with Seattle), former Met Fernando Martinez (now in the Yankees’ minor-league system), San Diego shortstop Everth Cabrera, Phillies pitcher Antonio Bastardo, Astros pitcher Sergio Escalona, Mets minor leaguer Cesar Puello, Padres minor leaguer Fautino De Los Santos and Jordan Norberto.

The Blue Jays’ Melky Cabrera, Oakland’s Bartolo Colon and San Diego’s Yasmani Grandal will not receive any additional discipline after being suspended last year for positive drug tests. Washington pitcher Gio Gonzalez and Baltimore infielder Danny Valencia were not disciplined because MLB’s investigation found that neither player violated the game’s drug rules.

As per the terms of the Joint Drug Agreement, A-Rod will take his case before arbitrator Fredric Horowitz in no more than 23 days, and Horowitz will render his decision in no more than 25 days after the beginning of the appeal hearing. That means that Rodriguez’s fate should be decided by mid-September.

In its press release announcing the suspension to A-Rod, which becomes effective on Thursday, MLB cited “his use and possession of numerous forms of prohibited performance-enhancing substances, including Testosterone and human Growth Hormone, over the course of multiple years.

MLB's letter announces suspension

Rodriguez also received discipline under the Basic Agreement, the release reads, “for attempting to cover-up his violations of the Program by engaging in a course of conduct intended to obstruct and frustrate the Office of the Commissioner’s investigation.”

Horowitz could back MLB’s decision, he could acquit A-Rod altogether or he could decrease the penalty without eliminating it altogether. And A-Rod and MLB could still negotiate a settlement before the hearing.

Rodriguez, who has missed the entire season first while recovering from left hip surgery and then while rehabilitating a strained left quadriceps, will be activated from the disabled list today and start at third base tonight, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said yesterday.