The full list of players being suspended for taking performance enhancing drugs from the Biogenesis clinic has been released. Texas Rangers' Nelson Cruz, Detroit Tigers' Jhonny Peralta, San Diego Padres' Everth Cabrera and Fautino de los Santos, Yankees' Francisco Cervelli and Fernando Martinez, Seattle Mariners' Jesus Montero, ex-Oakland Athletics' Jordan Norbert, and New York Mets' Cesar Puello have all been suspended for 50-games. The remaining players to be suspended have been identified as Philadelphia Phillies' Antonio Bastardo, Mets' Jordany Valdespin, and Houston Astros' Sergio Escalona.
That makes twelve suspensions total, with each player fully accepting their immediate suspensions. If this is the final list it looks like the Tigers and Rangers are the only teams that will be effected in their playoff push. Alex Rodriguez is set to appeal is suspension, allowing him to play for the Yankees while his case is heard by an arbitrator.
Bartolo Colon, Yasmani Grendal, and Melky Cabrera were exempt from further punishment after already serving 50-game suspensions for testing positive. Gio Gonzalez and Danny Valencia, two players who were connected to Biogenesis in some capacity were not punished due to a lack of convincing evidence they did anything in violation of the CBA or JDA.
Cruz, Valdespin, Bastardo, Escalona, as well as Melky Cabrera, are all represented by ACES, the agency that caught heat for helping Cabrera set up a fake website to explain away his positive test. Cruz has already fired his representation and it is unknown what kind of blowback the agency will feel in the coming weeks.
More from Pinstriped Bible:
- Bud Selig's current steroid hardball does not excuse willful ignorance of '90s
- Alex Rodriguez: Distraction from what?
- Biogenesis Suspensions: Alex Rodriguez to appeal, others to accept 50-game suspensions
- ESPN presents: "The Suspension - An interview with Bud Selig"
- Biogenesis suspensions expected to be announced at noon Monday