A look at MLB players suspended in Biogenesis PED scandal - Los Angeles Times
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A look at MLB players suspended in Biogenesis PED scandal

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Major League Baseball suspended 13 players Monday in connection with the use of performance-enhancing drugs after its investigation into the South Florida anti-aging clinic Biogenesis of America. Here’s a look at those suspended:

Alex Rodriguez

Age 38. New York Yankees shortstop/third baseman.

Three-time American League Most Valuable Player (2003, 2005, 2007), 14-time All-Star. Previously played with Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers. Sidelined so far this season while recovering from hip surgery. Has 647 career home runs, fifth on all-time list. In late 2007 signed 10-year, $275-million contract with the Yankees, richest in baseball history. In early 2009 admitted using performance-enhancing drugs from 2001 to 2003, but Major League Baseball had no program of testing or punishment in place at the time.

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Nelson Cruz

Age 33. Texas Rangers right fielder.

Joined Texas in 2006 as part of multiplayer trade with the Milwaukee Brewers. He’s a two-time All-Star, including this year. Only Ranger with at least 20 home runs, 20 doubles and 120 hits in each of the last four seasons. Most valuable player in 2011 AL Championship Series.

Everth Cabrera

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Age 26. San Diego Padres shortstop.

Nicaraguan led National League in steals last year –- the first Padre to do so –- with a career-high 44 despite spending first month of season in triple A. NL stolen-base leader again this year, and made first All-Star team this season.

Jhonny PeraltaAge 31. Detroit Tigers shortstop.

Dominican was first signed by Cleveland in 1999 and acquired by Detroit in 2010. Two-time All-Star, including this season. Finished second among AL shortstops with a .988 fielding percentage last season. Hit two-run home run in first game of 2012 World Series against San Francisco, his first World Series game.

Francisco CervelliAge 27. New York Yankees catcher.

Signed by the Yankees in 2003 as an amateur free agent, he might not return this season because of a broken finger on right hand as well as discomfort in his right elbow. Venezuelan has played parts of six seasons for New York with a .271 career batting average. Has appeared in only 17 games this year.

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Jesus Montero

Age 23. Seattle Mariners catcher/designated hitter.

Venezuelan signed by Yankees in 2006; appeared in 18 games for New York during MLB debut season in 2011. He was traded to Seattle in 2012 and appeared in 135 games with Mariners last season, batting .260 with 15 home runs and 20 doubles. But this year he was demoted to triple A and then sidelined with a torn meniscus in his left knee. He hasn’t played with the Mariners since May 20.

Antonio Bastardo

Age 27. Philadelphia Phillies reliever.

Signed by the Phillies in 2005 as an amateur free agent, Bastardo is 3-2 with a career-best 2.32 earned-run average in 48 appearances this season. Dominican left-hander converted from starting before breaking into the majors in 2009 and has been a staple of the Phillies’ bullpen since 2010.

Jordany Valdespin

Age 25. New York Mets utilityman.

Signed by the Mets in 2007 as an amateur free agent, Valdespin is a career .219 hitter with 12 home runs and 42 RBI over 160 games spanning the last two seasons. Dominican has played all three outfield positions, second base and shortstop this year and last year for the Mets.

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Cesar Puello

Age 22. New York Mets outfielder.

Signed by the Mets in 2007 as an amateur free agent, Puello is currently playing for double-A Binghamton while holding a spot on the Mets’ 40-man roster. Dominican has a .328 batting average/.405 on-base percentage/.400 slugging percentage and hit 16 home runs with 73 RBI in 90 games at Binghamton this year. He also has 24 stolen bases.

Fautino De Los Santos

Age 27. Free-agent reliever.

Released by the San Diego Padres on May 15, De Los Santos had been injured most of this season, throwing only 2 1/3 innings for triple-A Tuscon. Dominican right-hander converted from starting in 2010 before making 40 total appearances with the Oakland Athletics in 2011 and 2012, yielding a 4.21 ERA.

Sergio Escalona

Age 29. Houston Astros reliever.

Signed by the Astros as a free agent on Nov. 20, 2012, Escalona is 1-2 with a 6.60 ERA in 12 appearances for double-A Corpus Christi this season. Venezuelan left-hander has made 63 career major league appearances with the Phillies (2009) and Astros (2011), going is 3-1 with a 3.48 ERA.

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Fernando Martinez

Age 24. New York Yankees outfielder.

Traded to the Yankees from the Houston Astros on June 18, Martinez has a .182/.229/.273 split in 35 plate appearances this season with the Astros. Dominican was once ranked the No. 22 prospect by Baseball America, but has a career .206 average in five major league seasons. He has yet to play for the Yankees.

Jordan Norberto

Age 26. Free-agent reliever.

Released by the Oakland Athletics on May 8, Norberto went 4-1 with a 2.77 ERA in 37 apperances for the Athletics in 2012 before shoulder injuries hampered his career. Dominican left-hander has thrown just 1 1/3 innings for triple-A Sacramento this season.

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