Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Might Fernando Martinez get suspended?

Outside the Lines is reporting that that MLB is likely going to pursue suspensions for A-Rod, Ryan Braun, and about 18 other players connected to the Biogenesis International House of Pancakes in Miami, now that "clinic" founder Tony Bosch is ready to sing like a bird.

OTL:
Investigators have had records naming about 20 players for more than a month. But without a sworn statement from Bosch that the records are accurate and reflect illicit interactions between the players and the self-described biochemist, the documents were little more than a road map.

The problem for the Astros is that Oklahoma City's Fernando Martinez is on the list, and Fernando Martinez is represented by ACES, owned by longtime agents Seth and Sam Levinson. According to Outside the Lines, MLB is trying to gain the cooperation of Juan Carlos Nunez, who worked for the Levinsons and "served as a conduit between Bosch and numerous players.

Also of note, but obviously not implicated in this scandal, is that Astros players Rhiner Cruz and Brad Peacock are also represented by ACES.

Now just as a PSA, here is a maybe-comprehensive list of Astros players suspended for PED use since 2009:

March 2012: RHP Angel Heredia -  DSL pitcher suspended 50 games for two different PEDs
October 2011: RHP Kelvin Santana - DSL pitcher suspended 50 games
August 2011: RHP Euris Quezada - Tri-City pitcher suspended 25 games for violating Minor League Baseball's Drug Program
July 2011: RHP Manuel Sanchez - DSL pitcher suspended 50 games for Stanozolol
August 2010: Triple-A pitcher Danny Meszaros, Double-A Marcos Cabral and catcher Jon Fixler were suspended 50 games for methylhexaneamine, a stimulant.
August 2010: DSL pitcher Richard Rodriguez suspended 50 games for Stanozolol
July 2009: DSL pitcher Felix Ramirez
August 2009: Greeneville pitcher Gabriel Garcia suspended 50 games for Nandrolone (he pitched in Lancaster in 2012).
September 2008: Round Rock pitcher Runelvys Hernandez (suspension would later be rescinded)