The 13 MLB players suspended for violating banned-substances rules
The players suspended Monday for what Major League Baseball said were violations of rules banning the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Alex Rodriguez was suspended for the remainder of this season and all of 2014, pending an expected appeal. The other players accepted 50-game suspensions without appeal:
Alex Rodriguez, 3B, New York Yankees
Three-time American League most valuable player (2003, 2005, 2007), 14-time All-Star. Previously played with Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers. Has been sidelined this season while recovering from hip surgery. Has 647 home runs, fifth on all-time list, 13 behind Willie Mays. Signed 10-year, $275-million contract in 2007 with the Yankees, richest in baseball history. In early 2009, admitted using PEDs from 2001 to 2003 — before MLB had a testing or punishment program. Age: 38.
Nelson Cruz, RF, Texas
Joined Texas in 2006 as part of multiple-player trade with the Milwaukee Brewers. He’s a two-time All-Star, including this year, and is the only Rangers player with at least 20 home runs, 20 doubles and 120 hits in each of the last four seasons. He was the most valuable player in 2011 AL Championship Series. Cruz said Monday that while trying to recover from an illness before spring training in 2012, he “made an error in judgment.” Age: 33.
Everth Cabrera, SS, San Diego
Native of Nicaragua last year became the first Padres player to lead the National League in stolen bases. He had a career-high 44 despite spending the first month of season in triple A. NL stolen base leader again this year, and made his first All-Star team. Age: 26.
Jhonny Peralta, SS, Detroit
Signed by Cleveland from the Dominican Republic in 1999 and acquired by Detroit in 2010. A 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. Age: 31.
Francisco Cervelli, C, New York Yankees
Signed by the Yankees in 2003 as an amateur free agent, he has appeared in only 17 games this season because of a broken finger on right hand and discomfort in his right elbow. A Venezuelan, he has played parts of six seasons for the Yankees and has a .271 career batting average. Age: 27.
Jesus Montero, C/DH, Seattle
A Venezuelan, he was signed by the Yankees in 2006 and appeared in 18 games for them during his MLB debut season of 2011. Traded to Seattle in 2012, he batted .260 with 15 home runs and 20 doubles in 135 games. This season, he was demoted to triple A and was then sidelined by a torn meniscus in his left knee. He hasn’t played for the Mariners since May 20. Age: 23.
Antonio Bastardo, RP, Philadelphia
Signed by the Phillies in 2005 as an amateur free agent from the Dominican Republic, the left-handed reliever had a 3-2 record and career-best 2.32 earned-run average in 48 appearances this season. Age: 27.
Jordany Valdespin, Util., New York Mets
Signed by the Mets in 2007 from the Dominican Republic 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. He played all three outfield positions, second base and shortstop this year and last year for the Mets. Age: 25.
Cesar Puello, OF, New York Mets
Signed by the Mets in 2007 from the Dominican Republic as an amateur free agent, he is batting .328 with 16 home runs, 73 RBIs and 24 stolen bases in 90 games for double-A Binghamton while holding a spot on the Mets’ 40-man roster. Age: 22.
Fautino De Los Santos, RP, free agent
Released by the San Diego Padres on May 15, he had been injured most of this season, throwing only 21/3 innings for triple-A Tucson. A Dominican, the right-hander made 40 appearances and had a 4.21 ERA with the Oakland Athletics in 2011 and 2012. Age: 27.
Sergio Escalona, RP, Houston
Signed by the Astros as a free agent after last season, he has a 1-2 record and 6.60 ERA in 12 appearances for double-A Corpus Christi. The Venezuelan left-hander has made 63 big league appearances with Philadelphia (2009) and Houston (2011), compiling a 3-1 record and 3.48 ERA. Age: 29.
Fernando Martinez, OF, New York Yankees
Martinez was batting .182 in 35 plate appearances for the Houston Astros before being traded to the Yankees on June 18. A Dominican, he was once ranked as MLB’s No. 22 overall prospect by Baseball America, but he has a career .206 average in five big league seasons. He has not played for the Yankees. Age: 24.
Jordan Norberto, RP, free agent
Released by the Oakland Athletics on May 8, Norberto had a 4-1 record and 2.77 ERA in 37 appearances for A’s in 2012 before suffering from shoulder problems. The Dominican left-hander has thrown just 11/3 innings for triple-A Sacramento this season. Age: 26.
Get our high school sports newsletter
Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
