A-Rod's suspension coming Monday, but he could play while appealing

Alex Rodriguez will be suspended by Major League Baseball but could be in the lineup for the Yankees Monday night in Chicago if he appeals the decision, according to a source.

MLB will suspend Rodriguez for his alleged connection to a now-closed anti-aging clinic in Miami that was reportedly supplying performance enhancing drugs to numerous players.

The suspension is part of baseball’s Joint Drug Agreement and not the commissioner’s “best interests of baseball” clause in the Basic Agreement.
That allows Rodriguez the opportunity to remain eligible to play if he chooses to appeal.

A-Rod insisted again this weekend that he will fight any disciplinary action through arbitration.

Commissioner Bud Selig could have stopped Rodriguez from joining the Yankees if he chose to invoke Article XII of baseball’s collective bargaining agreement, which states that players can be disciplined for “just cause” for conduct detrimental to baseball. Under those guidelines, a player is ineligible to play until the hearing, but it might have been too risky a move for Selig, who could then come under fire for too extreme a punishment in the eyes of an arbitrator.
The Yankees have been informed that Rodriguez will be suspended Monday but could be available to play, according to multiple reports.

Rodriguez worked out with the Yankees’ minor-league affiliate in Trenton, N.J., Sunday, taking batting practice and fielding grounders. Rodriguez is trying to recover from hip surgery that has sidelined him the entire season.

Before the Yankees lost to the Padres Sunday, manager Joe Girardi said he planned on having Rodriguez in the lineup Monday night.

“I think all of us are curious what’s going to happen, and is Alex going to be a player for us tomorrow (Monday), and what’s going to happen with the other guys that are involved in this?” Girardi said.

“[But] in my mind I have him penciled in there tomorrow.”

Up to a dozen players could be suspended for their ties with the Biogenesis drug clinic. So far, only one player, Milwaukee Brewers slugger Ryan Braun has been suspended.

As for any potential uneasiness with Rodriguez showing up in the clubhouse Monday, Girardi wasn’t concerned.

“I don’t suspect it will be awkward," he said. “Most of these guys know him as a teammate and have laughed a lot with Alex and have been around Alex a lot, so I think it will be business as usual. I’m sure there will be more media there, but I think that’s more for Alex to deal with than the rest of the guys. I don't think it will be a big deal.”

On Friday, Rodriguez said he wanted to play out the rest of his 10 year, $275 million contract, which runs through 2017, and suggested he was being singled out for tougher punishment.

(with Reuters)