Lawyer says Rodriguez admitted he used steroids

A lawyer for the University of Miami’s former pitching coach said Wednesday that Alex Rodriguez told federal investigators he used steroids supplied by the owner of a now-closed South Florida clinic.

Attorney Frank Quintero Jr., who represents Lazaro “Laser’’ Collazo in his defense against charges of conspiracy to distribute performance-enhancing drugs, said the New York Yankees third baseman confessed to steroid use, according to Drug Enforcement Administration documents provided by the government to defense lawyers.

The Miami Herald first reported Rodriguez’s admission on Wednesday, local time, saying he met with DEA agents on Jan. 29 at the agency’s South Florida field office. Given a grant of immunity from prosecution, Rodriguez told investigators he used banned substances between late 2010 and October 2012 supplied by Anthony Bosch, who owned the Biogenesis of America clinic in Coral Gables.

Rodriguez has publicly denied using banned substances since he joined the Yankees in 2004.

The three-time AL MVP acknowledged in 2009 using performance-enhancing drugs while with Texas from 2001-03.

Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig suspended Rodriguez for 211 games in August 2013 for violations of the sport’s drug agreement and labor contract, and the penalty was cut to the 2014 season in January by arbitrator Fredric Horowitz.

Rodriguez proclaimed his innocence and sued in federal court, then withdrew the suit and accepted the penalty.

The Herald reported Bosch told the DEA that A-Rod agreed to pay for steroids for 20 Biogenesis customers after the clinic closed to keep Bosch from talking about his involvement. That could prompt MLB to investigate whether Rodriguez could be suspended again under the sport’s drug agreement for violations related to the sale and distribution of PEDs.

An attorney for Rodriguez did not immediately respond to a telephone call seeking comment. The Yankees declined comment.

The DEA report is among evidence federal prosecutors have assembled against Rodriguez’s cousin Yuri Sucart, Collazo and others accused of supplying testosterone and human growth hormone to MLB players and other athletes linked to Biogenesis.

Quintero said he has a copy but cannot release it under federal evidence rules.

“I can, for your report, confirm that the report by the Herald is accurate as to what Rodriguez said,’’ Quintero said in an email. “I don’t have a dog in this fight. My client has no involvement with ANY major league players concerning the use of banned substances.’’

Neither the DEA nor the Miami U.S. Attorney’s office commented. However, in a separate public court filing, prosecutors made clear Rodriguez would be a star witness if the case against Sucart and the others goes to trial. AP