It’s been a long battle for New York Yankees’ third baseman Alex Rodriguez. Accused of using performance enhancing drugs Rodriguez was suspended for 211 games on August 5th by the MLB Commissioner Bud Selig. Rodriguez and the Major League Baseball Players Association appealed the suspension, filing a grievance saying the discipline was without “just cause.” The case was heard by an independent arbitrator and the result was finally released today.
The penalty was given for alleged violations of the sport’s drug agreement and labor contract and followed Major League Baseball’s investigation of the Biogenesis of America anti-aging clinic, which was accused of distributing banned performance-enhancing drugs.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter Rodriguez’s suspension has been reduced to 162-games, one full season.
Rodriguez’s lawyers have threatened to go to federal court in an attempt to overturn a decision not to their liking. For now it’s unclear whether they will continue to fight the case.
