Update 4:30 pm
Jhonny Peralta said the following about his suspension in a press release this afternoon:
“In spring of 2012, I made a terrible mistake that I deeply regret. I apologize to everyone that I have hurt as a result of my mistake, including my teammates, the Tigers’ organization, the great fans in Detroit, Major League Baseball, and my family. I take full responsibility for my actions, have no excuses for my lapse in judgment and I accept my suspension.
I love the fans, my teammates and this organization and my greatest punishment is knowing that I have let so many good people down. I promise to do everything possible to try and earn back the respect that I have lost.”
Additionally, the Detroit Tigers released the following statement on Peralta's suspension:
"We recognize the suspension of Jhonny Peralta for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program as a measure taken in the best interest of the game. The Detroit Tigers continue to fully support Major League Baseball's policy and its efforts to eliminate performance enhancing drugs from our game. Per the protocol outline by Major League Baseball's collective bargaining agreement, the Tigers' organization will provide no further comment on Peralta’s suspension."
Update 3:10 pm
The MLB announced that the following players have been suspended. Here's what they said on Twitter:
The following players have been suspended 50 games for violations of the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program: (1/3)
— MLB (@MLB) August 5, 2013
Antonio Bastardo, Everth Cabrera, Francisco Cervelli, Nelson Cruz, Fautino De Los Santos, Sergio Escalona, Fernando Martinez (2/3)
— MLB (@MLB) August 5, 2013
Jesus Montero, Jordan Norberto, Jhonny Peralta, Cesar Puello, Jordany Valdespin (3/3)
— MLB (@MLB) August 5, 2013
1:30 pm
Major League Baseball is expected to announce suspensions for players involved in the Biogenesis performance-enhancing substances case this afternoon.
Early reports indicate Detroit Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta has accepted a 50-game suspension. This tweet comes from Fox Sports reporter Ken Rosenthal:
In all, around a dozen players are facing discipline action from MLB, including three-time Most Valuable Player Alex Rodriguez.
Rodriguez faces much more than a 50-game suspension, according to USA Today:
Rodriguez will be suspended for at least 215 games, but likely will dodge a lifetime ban by Commissioner Bud Selig for allegedly violating the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The penalty would make Rodriguez ineligible to play until the 2015 regular season, the longest punishment against a player or manager since Pete Rose agreed to a lifetime ban in 1988 for gambling.
