As a dark Monday for Major League Baseball continues to roll on with the decisions on suspensions over the performance enhancing drugs scandal, Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria took to twitter to share his thoughts as some of his peers await their fates.
Longoria tweeted: "Today is a sad day for the MLB, the fans of this great game, and all players who may have been negatively affected by others selfishness..."
The third baseman went on: "Ultimately, although today will be a day of infamy for MLB, it is a tremendous step in the right direction for the game we love."
Multiple reports have indicated that the MLB and 12 players have reached agreements on 50-game suspensions for the players' roles in the Biogenesis case, and it is expected announcements will be made official Monday at 3 p.m.
The harshest penalty was reserved for New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who is expected to make his season debut tonight against the Chicago White Sox. MLB has suspended the slugger through the 2014 season, and he wil appeal the suspension.
Rodriguez, much like Ryan Braun who was the first to fall to a 65-game ban two weeks ago, has been the face of the scandal. Other players who were suspended include major leaguers Nelson Cruz (Rangers), Everth Cabrera (Padres), Jhonny Peralta (Tigers), Antonio Bastardo (Phillies), Francisco Cervelli (Yankees), Jordany Valdespin (Mets), and minor leaguers Jesus Montero (Mariners), Cesar Puello (Mets), Sergio Escalona (Astros), Fernando Martinez (Yankees), and free agents Fautino De Los Santos and Jordan Norberto.
While these players fell, reports indicate that Athletics pitcher Bartolo Colon, Blue Jays outfielder Miguel Cabrera and Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal will receive no additional punishment for their connection to the clinic.
All three players were suspended last year for testing positive for performance enhancing drugs, with Colon and Grandal's suspensions extending to the beginning of this season. The Athletics will be happy to hear that Colon isn't being punished as he's 14-3 with a 2.50 ERA this season and the A's are just half-a-game up on the Texas Rangers in the American League Central division race.
Nationals' starter Gio Gonzalez and Orioles infielder Danny Valencia were both tied to the initial report, but face no punishment.
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