A-Rod, MLB await arbitrator's ruling

Arbitrator Fredric Horowitz is expected to rule at any time on Alex Rodriguez's appeal of his 211-game suspension, which was imposed last August by Major League Baseball after its Biogenesis investigation into performance-enhancing drugs.

The Yankees third baseman was cited for violations of the joint drug agreement and Basic Agreement between MLB and the players' association. MLB claimed Rodriguez possessed and used PEDs received from Anthony Bosch, founder of the former anti-aging clinic in Miami known as Biogenesis. Rodriguez and his attorneys denied baseball's allegation,

Horowitz did not respond to emails seeking a time frame or whether he would discuss his decision, which is expected to be delivered in the form of an email to all parties involved in the arbitration. The process comprised 12 sessions and essentially ended Nov. 21 when Rodriguez stormed out after Horowitz refused a request to have MLB commissioner Bud Selig testify.

Horowitz could uphold, overturn or alter the suspension. Rodriguez is owed $89 million on the 10-year, $275-million contract he has left with the Yankees. He is set to make $26 million in 2014.

Joe Tacopina, Rodriguez's lead attorney, strongly has suggested that Rodriguez would take the matter to federal court if any part of the suspension is upheld. Tacopina would need to obtain a stay of the suspension for Rodriguez to be eligible to play while the matter is adjudicated. Legal observers consider it a long shot for the court to interfere with an arbitrator's ruling. The Major League Baseball Players Association, which also represented Rodriguez during his appeal, has not said if it would be part of any court action.