At least their link to the Biogenesis investigation did not taint their enjoyment of being recognized as all-stars on the eve of Major League Baseball's midsummer classic.
The New York Times reported Monday that American League All-Stars Jhonny Peralta of the Detroit Tigers and Nelson Cruz of the Texas Rangers deflected questions of their involvement in the Biogenesis scandal that potentially could result in the suspension of as many as 20 players for using performance-enhancing drugs.
The Times reported that Peralta, the Tigers shortstop, refused to comment directly about the investigation but did say, "It's the best feeling that you can feel, to be here with every good player. I feel happy to be here. I feel proud, too, of what I'm doing."
Cruz, according to the newspaper, indirectly answered questions regarding his involvement in the shut-down anti-aging clinic in Coral Gables, Fla.
"I mean, I don't know," Cruz told the Times. "I don't know what to say. It is what it is. I come here to play every day and that's the main goal, that's why I'm here at the All-Star Game. I do something good in the first half and I deserve to be here."
Cruz is batting .277 with 22 home runs and 69 home runs as an outfielder for the Rangers. Peralta is hitting .303 with eight home runs and 46 RBIs.
The two are half of the players voted as All-Stars who have been affiliated with the Biogenesis case. San Diego Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera and Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Bartolo Colon are the others.
Colon was suspended 50 games last season for a positive test for PEDs.
"It's unfathomable for me, because 50 games is like walking out on my team," Cardinals pitcher and National League All-Star Wainwright told the newspaper. "I just don't understand the selfishness of that, especially in today's world. ...
"I just think it's a shame that every time we sort of get past the steroid issue and we talk about how great our testing is, somebody gets caught. And in this case, it's a group of people that got caught, or allegedly got caught. I wish we could get back to just playing the game the right way and letting our natural talents play out and see who wins the game."
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