SUSPENDED !

 

 

ALEX RODRIGUEZ FACES A 211 GAME SUSPENSION FROM MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL; HE WILL APPEAL

 

(AP) — It was a busy day even by Alex Rodriguez's standards.

The New York Yankees third baseman was activated from the disabled list, met the media before Monday's game against the White Sox in Chicago, made his season debut and produced a bloop single in his first at-bat. He also was suspended for the remainder of this season and all of 2014, although he'll be able to play until his appeal is heard.

Rodriguez and 12 other players have been given lengthy suspensions by Major League Baseball after an in-depth probe into the closed Biogenesis anti-aging clinic. All but Rodriguez have accepted their suspensions, but he opted to appeal his suspension and remain on the active roster.

A-Rod received the harshest suspension.

Commissioner Bud Selig says Rodriguez had used testosterone as well as human growth hormones. Selig also stated Rodriguez engaged in a course of conduct intended to obstruct and frustrate the Office of the Commissioner in its investigation.

Rodriguez held a news conference before taking the field for the Yankees' game against the White Sox in Chicago. He wouldn't deny using PEDs, saying during the news conference that "when the time is right, there will be an opportunity to do all of that. I don't think that time is right now."

Rodriguez is expected to file an appeal by Wednesday. It will be at least a week before the appeal is heard, and several more weeks before an arbitrator renders his decision. If the 211-game penalty is upheld, his lost pay could range from $30.6 million to $32.7 million, depending on when exactly the suspension is served.

Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta (JAH'-nee peh-RAHL'-tah) and Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera are among 13 players to receive 50-game suspensions on Monday for their connection with Biogenesis of America. All three were All-Stars this season, with Cruz leading Texas in homers and RBIs, and Peralta serving as Detroit's second-best hitter behind Miguel Cabrera.

Others agreeing to 50-game bans include Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli, Philadelphia pitcher Antonio Bastardo, Seattle catcher Jesus Montero and New York Mets infielder Jordany Valdespin.

MLB also cleared Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez and Orioles third baseman Danny Valencia, saying its inquiry found no violations by the players linked to Biogensis in media reports. Gonzalez says he has no lingering sense of animosity toward baseball .

 

GIANTS KNOCK OFF BREWERS 4-2

 

 

CHAD GAUDIN SHINES AGAIN AS THE GIANTS TAKE GAME ONE OF A FOUR-GAME SERIES

 

(AP) — Pinch hitter Jeff Francoeur's broken-bat single in the bottom of the eighth inning drove in the go-ahead run in the San Francisco Giants' 4-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night.

Brandon Belt had three hits for the Giants, who won for the fourth time in six games. Hunter Pence walked three times and stole two bases.

Santiago Casilla (5-2) pitched the eighth for the win, while John Axford (4-5) took the loss. Sergio Romo pitched the ninth for his 27th save in 31 chances.

Juan Francisco hit a home run and drove in two for the Brewers, who have lost four of five. Jean Segura and Jonathan Lucroy each had two hits.

Giants starter Chad Gaudin gave up a run on four hits over 6 1-3 innings. He walked four and struck out eight.

Brewers starter Tyler Thornburg went six innings, allowing an unearned run on seven hits.

 

RAIDERS FIRST ROUND PICK PARTICIPATES IN PRACTICE

 

(AP) — Oakland Raiders first-round draft pick D.J. Hayden will not play in Friday's preseason opener against Dallas.

Hayden suffered a slight hamstring pull in training camp on Monday but Oakland coach Dennis Allen said the decision to hold the rookie cornerback out was related to Hayden's recovery from offseason abdominal surgery.

The 12th overall pick in this year's draft, Hayden has practiced every day but has been wearing a red jersey normally reserved for quarterbacks and kickers because he has not been cleared for contact yet.

Hayden underwent surgery in late May to remove scar tissue from his abdominal region. That operation came months after a near-fatal practice injury that ended his college career at Houston early.

 

REID PREPARES FOR CHALLENGES OF THE NFL

 

(AP) — Every time Donte Whitner looks at rookie Eric Reid he's reminded of what it was like to be a safety selected in the first round competing for a starting spot.

Whitner, San Francisco's savvy strong safety, had quite the Week 1 opponent after being taken eighth overall by the Buffalo Bills back in 2006: Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

Reid, the former LSU standout for whom the 49ers traded up to draft at No. 18, is hoping to start against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in the regular-season opener Sept. 8.

And when San Francisco hosts Denver in his first preseason game Thursday night, Reid might even get a few snaps against another former NFL MVP: Peyton Manning.

 

CHICO'S AARON RODGERS LOSES HIS BEST PASS PROTECTOR TO TORN ACL

 

 

BRIAN BULAGA (75) COULD BE LOST FOR THE SEASON

 

     The Green Bay Packers are looking for answers after losing their best offensive lineman to a torn ACL on Monday. Brian Bulaga protects Aaron Rodgers' blind-side and was injured during a practice session. Its a devastating loss for the Packers whose offensive line is not considered a strength. Rodgers came to rely on Bulaga's ability to keep pass-rushers away from his blind-side. The Packers will now have to piece their line together as they get ready for the season opener in a month. Practice was canceled once Bulaga went down.