BOSTON — Alex Rodriguez vehemently denied Friday he ratted out Brewers star Ryan Braun and teammate Francisco Cervelli in the Biogenesis scandal.
A “60 Minutes” report said members of Rodriguez’s inner circle obtained handwritten documents from Biogenesis founder Anthony Bosch and then leaked them to Yahoo! Sports in February, which was the first to report the names of Cervelli as well as Braun. That story ran Feb. 5. Bosch has since become MLB’s star witness in its investigation.
“It’s not true. I spoke to Cervelli this morning, had a positive conversation. He understands that it’s not true. We’re on the same page,’’ Rodriguez said before the Yankees opened a three-game series against the AL East-leading Red Sox last night at Fenway Park. “When I heard about it four months ago I was very surprised. But the most important thing is that I spoke to Cervelli. Cervelli, he’s like my brother. I told him it’s not true.’’
Rodriguez, who said he hasn’t spoken to Braun, was bothered about being accused of ratting out a teammate.
“Absolutely, and we had that conversation,” he said. “He understands completely that it’s not true. I’ve been a member of the [Players Association] for 20 years and it’s important for me that all the guys to understand that my loyalty is to this union. It never happened. It wouldn’t occur and it didn’t happen,’’ Rodriguez said.
Rule 6(A)(2) of the Joint Drug Agreement reads, “Any and all information relating to a Player’s involvement in the Program, including, but not limited to, the fact or the results of any Prohibited Substance testing to which the Player may be subject, and any discipline imposed upon the Player by the Commissioner’s Office shall remain strictly confidential.”
David Cornwell, Rodriguez’s attorney, said in a statement to The Post, “The allegations are untrue and are another attempt to harm Alex — this time by driving a wedge between Alex and other players in the game. While Alex focuses on baseball and repeatedly states that he is going to respect the appeal process, the drumbeat of false allegations continues.”
Cervelli is serving a 50-game suspension, as are 11 other players indicted in the Biogenesis scandal, and Braun is serving a 65-game suspension. All 13 players accepted baseball’s penalty. The Yahoo! report also identified Baltimore’s Danny Valencia, who was cleared by MLB.
Rodriguez is appealing a 211-game suspension from commissioner Bud Selig that alleges both obstruction and multiple years of purchasing and using illegal performance-enhancing drugs. He is expected to play through the rest of this season as his situation is legally resolved.
Last night he made his first visit to Fenway Park, where he is largely reviled by Red Sox fans, since his suspension was announced. Rodriguez entered the game with one home run and four RBIs in nine games.
The reaction from the Yankees ranged from Brett Gardner not being aware of the report to CC Sabathia not wanting to discuss it to Alfonso Soriano explaining he can’t dwell on anything but baseball to Curtis Granderson and Vernon Wells supporting Rodriguez and manager Joe Girardi not believing the issue was going to divide his clubhouse. Two Red Sox players, however, ripped Rodriguez to The Post.
“If that’s true, how does he even walk back into that clubhouse?’’ asked a Red Sox player who requested anonymity.
“At this point, you don’t know what’s true and not true, but if that part is true, that’s ugly,’’ another Red Sox player said. “It’s one thing to make yourself look bad. It’s another to drag other people into it.’’
Granderson, the Yankees’ player representative, highlighted Rodriguez denial.
“If Alex has denied that I am going with Alex,’’ Granderson said. “And if anyone has said anything, it’s supposedly not Alex. If it’s not Alex, let’s talk to that person.’’
Wells, who predicted more stories coming out about Rodriguez, said, “That’s a personal thing between him and Francisco.’’
Soriano politely refused to get into the subject.
“I am here to play the game and not pay attention to all that stuff, it’s not part of the game,’’ he said. “It doesn’t help me to think about that situation.’’
“There are a lot of negative things out there, but we support Alex,” Robinson Cano said. “It’s great having him back.’’
Rodriguez said this isn’t the end of the leaks and accusations.
“For the next seven weeks it’s going to be a very, very bumpy road. Every day you can expect a story like this to come out there. And after arbitration, I will have an opportunity, with a full platform, and I will tell my full story,’’ Rodriguez said.“It’s obviously a very tough situation. And not surprising. I think they reported this about four months ago. It didn’t get much traction. And here we are at Fenway and it’s back, weird timing, too.
“It’s frustrating for the game because the game is doing so well. It’s a big series. The team is playing relatively well. We’re excited about playing one of the best teams in baseball in Boston. The drips, it’s frustrating, especially when they are coming out one drip at a time.’’