The Miami New Times won’t provide Major League Baseball with records obtained from the Biogenesis clinic, which linked Alex Rodriguez and others to performance-enhancing drugs.
An original report by the weekly paper had tied Rodriguez, Nelson Cruz, Melky Cabrera, Yasmani Grandal, Francisco Cervelli and Ryan Bran to Biogenesis founder Anthony Bosch, who supplied the medications. MLB has since launched an investigation.
New Times editor Chuck Strouse wrote an editorial to explain his position.
“Sorry, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig. We won’t hand over records that detail the inner workings of Biogenesis, the controversial Coral Gables anti-aging clinic that allegedly supplied prohibited drugs to six professional baseball players, including Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez.
“The reasons are manifold. History plays a role in our decision. So do journalistic ethics and the fact that we have already posted dozens of records on our website. Finally, there is a hitherto-unreported Florida Department of Health criminal probe into clinic director Anthony Bosch.”
—Former MLB slugger Manny Ramirez officially began his stint in Taiwan’s four-team professional baseball league when he signed with the EDA Rhinos.
He said is “starting a new beginning” after agreeing to a deal that will pay him $25,000 a month during the March to November season.
Ramirez, who has played 19 seasons, last played in the majors with the Tampa Bay Rays in April 2011. That stint ended when he tested positive for elevated testosterone. Rather than face a 100-game suspension for a second positive drug test, Ramirez retired.
—Tampa Bay Rays starter David Price has been named as the team’s opening day starter, manager Joe Maddon announced.
The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner will start April 2 when the Rays host the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field.
—The Philadelphia Phillies optioned five players to minor-league camp right-handed pitchers Tyler Cloyd and B.J. Rosenberg, left-handed pitcher Mauricio Robles, outfielder Tyson Gillies and catcher Sebastian Valle.
Cloyd, 25, started six games for the Phillies last season, and posted a 4.91 ERA in 33 innings.