Jays Cabrera Among Those Linked to Miami PED Clinic

Melky Cabrera is one of 7 players listed in records of a Miami clinic being investigated for steroid distribution.Major League Baseball, along with federal authorities, is in the process of investigating a Miami-based anti-a aging clinic that has been linked to the distribution of illegal performance enhancing substances to professional athletes. As many as seven current and former Major League players have been tied to Biogenesis, the clinic which was run by Anthony Bosch until its closure in last months.

Among the names included in the paperwork taken from Bosch’s personal records are Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez, Washington starter Gio Gonzalez, Rangers’ outfielder Nelson Cruz, A’s starter Bartolo Colon, Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal and former pitcher Cesar Carrillo, and Blue Jays left fielder Melky Cabrera. The records obtained in the investigation purportedly contain the names of the above ballplayers and the substances that they were given.

Upon the release of the Miami News Times article, Major League Baseball had this to say about the report:

"“We are always extremely disappointed to learn of potential links between players and the use of performance-enhancing substances,” MLB’s statement read in part. “These developments, however, provide evidence of the comprehensive nature of our anti-drug efforts. Through our department of investigations, we have been actively involved in the issues in South Florida. It is also important to note that three of the players allegedly involved already have been disciplined under the Joint Drug Program. … We are in the midst of an active investigation and are gathering and reviewing information. We will refrain from further comment until this process is complete.”"

Cabrera, Colon, and Grandal were all suspended following positive tests for synthetic testosterone, and have either served or are serving their 50-game bans. Cabrera, who tested positive while a member of the 2012 San Francisco Giants, signed a two-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays over the winter, in hopes that he could rebuild his career after the positive test and the subsequent cover-up that included a fake website for alibi purposes.

Cabrera played in 113 games for the Giants in 2012, hitting a career high .346 with 11 home runs, 60 RBI, and .906 OPS before the suspension. He did not appear in the postseason for San Francisco.

While there is no mention of whether this is a new issue for Cabrera, the inclusion of Grandal and Colon would lend credence to a belief that this is part of an ongoing investigation into how these players obtained synthetic testosterone and other performance enhancing drugs. Whether there will be further disciplinary action against Cabrera remains to be seen and likely depends on his role in the investigation. Cruz, Gonzalez, and Rodriguez could all face 50-game suspensions without the evidence of a positive test.

As a Blue Jays fan site, we will certainly follow this closely and will be sure to alert our reading public to any further developments.