A-Rod likely to play while appealing ban

NEW YORK - Alex Rodriguez will be suspended Monday, likely through the 2014 season, as part of Major League Baseball’s latest drug investigation but can play while he appeals, a person familiar with the decision told the Associated Press.

Major League Baseball informed the New York Yankees on Sunday that A-Rod will be suspended for his links to a clinic accused of distributing banned performance-enhancing drugs, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity because no statement was authorized.

The Yankees weren’t told the exact length of the suspension, though they were under the impression it will be through the 2014 season, the person said. The Yankees star could get a shorter penalty if he agrees to give up the right to file a grievance and force the case before an arbitrator, the person added.

A suspension from Monday through 2014 would add to 214 games, and an unsuccessful appeal could stretch serving the penalty into 2015. In the era before players and owners agreed to a drug plan in late 2002, arbitrators often shortened drug suspensions - in the case of Yankees pitcher Steve Howe, his penalty was cut from a lifetime ban to 119 days.

AP