Alex Rodriguez admits taking steroids to government, lawyer says

A lawyer for the University of Miami's former pitching coach said Wednesday that Alex Rodriguez admitted to 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, told The Associated Press that the New York Yankees third baseman confessed to steroids use, according to Drug Enforcement Administration documents provided by the government to defense lawyers.

The Miami Herald first reported Rodriguez's admission Wednesday, 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 did use 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 any use of banned substances during his time with the Yankees, which began in 2004.

The three-time AL MVP acknowledged in 2009 that he 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, which are separate from the prohibitions on personal use.

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

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

Quintero told the AP 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 US 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. It is currently set to begin Feb. 9 in Miami federal court.

"Rodriguez has a prominent role in the government's proof of the ... conspiracies to distribute testosterone and human growth hormone," the prosecutors wrote.

In addition to A-Rod, Manny Ramirez, Ryan Braun, Melky Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Francisco Cervelli, Yasmani Grandal, Cesar Puello and Jordany Valdespin have been granted immunity by the federal government, the Herald reported

In their filing, prosecutors said Rodriguez paid Sucart $900,000 and provided him and his family with medical insurance, a vehicle and a house in return for Sucart's silence regarding Rodriguez's use of banned substances.

According to the Herald, the DEA report goes into great detail about how Rodriguez paid Bosch for testosterone cream and lozenges known as "gummies" and human growth hormone injections. Bosch has pleaded guilty in the case and is cooperating in the prosecution of the other men.

"Rodriguez said Bosch told him the HGH would help with sleep, weight, hair growth, eyesight and muscle recovery," the newspaper quoted the DEA report as saying. Bosch also gave Rodriguez tips on how to avoid detection in MLB drug tests.

Rodriguez told agents it was Sucart who introduced him in 2010 to Bosch, who falsely posed as a physician nicknamed "Dr. T." Rodriguez paid mainly in cash and Bosch promised secrecy, although he would eventually begin to cooperate with MLB and federal investigators.

In the DEA report, the Herald said Rodriguez admitted he also helped pay for Bosch's criminal defense, including $25,000 as a down payment to retain one attorney.

In total, 14 MLB players were suspended last year following the sport's Biogenesis investigation. None have been charged with crimes.

Rodriguez, who turns 40 next summer, played in just 44 games last year and hit seven home runs to increase his total to 654, fifth on the career list.

He is owed $61 million for the final three years of his contract with the Yankees. He could receive an additional $6 million each for five milestones that the team designates as historic achievements.