Milwaukee Brewers outfielderr Ryan Braun has been the only one to fall so far for violating Major League Baseball's performance enhancing drugs policy, but he may have some company on Monday.
Reports indicate that Major League Baseball is continuing negotiations with 14 players and their connection to a Biogenesis anti-aging clinic in Miami that allegedly sold players PED's and suspensions may be handed out no later than Monday.
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez and at least 13 others may face their fate by the beginning of next week as MLB is entrenched in on-going negotiations over how each player's individual suspension will be handled.
The MLB is prepared to issue two announcements on Monday, according to the Associated Press. The first announcement will be a list of the players that accept the suspensions while the other statement will entail players that are disciplined but haven't yet reached an agreement on suspensions and could challenge their penalties before an arbitrator.
The clinic in Miami is now closed, but the case as to who is involved and what their punishment will be is very much open. The usual ban for players connected to the clinic is expected to be a 50-game ban, but some may get more. It's been reported that A-Rod will either be banned for the remainder of this season, or this whole campaign plus next year's baseball season, or possibly for life. Braun, who denied taking steroids despite testing positive for PED's in a urine test after the 2011 season, faced a 65-game ban and took a hit to his reputation.
Rodriguez played in a simulated game Thursday as he tries to make his way back to the Yankees after missing the whole year following hip surgery and a recent strain to his quad. He saw 31 pitches over six at-bats while running the bases and playing third. It's uncertain if Rodriguez will ever see another professional game as a Yankee with the decision involving the bans looming on Monday. Rodriguez blew off the media following his simulated game because he didn't want to speak in front of cameras.
Other people targeted for their connection to the clinic include Nelson Cruz, Jhonny Peralta, Everth Cabrera, Jesus Montero, Francisco Cervell.
MLB is hoping to get deals done with all the players, hand out the suspensions, and move on without further damaging the reputation of the game.
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