SPORTS
Gio Gonzalez named in report about steroid use, report says
Updated: January 29, 2013 - 05:27 pm
Gio Gonzalez, the hard-throwing left-handed pitcher whose 21 wins in 2012 led Major League Baseball and helped the Washington Nationals to their first National League East title, has been named in a report linking him and other major leaguers to a doctor who dealt in performance-enhancing drugs.
According to an extensive report in the Miami New Times, Gonzalez appears in the records of a Miami-based clinic called Biogenesis, which the report alleges was a front for dealing steroids, human growth hormone and other banned substances.
However, as pointed out by the Mr. Irrelevant blog, the substance that Gonzalez allegedly acquired from Biogenesis, AminoRip, contains no substances that appear on Major League Baseball's banned substance list.
Records an employee of the now-shuttered Biogenesis Clinic leaked to the paper included notebooks believed to belong to clinic owner, Anthony Bosch, listing athletes who bought everything from human growth hormone to testosterone to steroids.
The biggest name listed was Alex Rodriguez, who said he stopped juicing 10 years ago. The clinic records, however, show 2009 purchases of HGH and other products. San Francisco Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera, suspended for drug use last August, is also implicated.
In a statement to Amanda Comak of the Washington Times, Gonzalez vehemently denied ever using or planning to use performance-enhancing drugs.
"Anything said to the contrary is a lie," he told the Times.
He also tweeted out an adamant denial, saying he never met the clinic's chief.
I've never used performance enhancing drugs of any kind and I never will ,I've never met or spoken with tony Bosch orused any substance
— Gio Gonzalez (@GioGonzalez47) January 29, 2013
In a statement, Major League Baseball stated that three of the players allegedly involved have been disciplined.
"We are always extremely disappointed to learn of potential links between players and the use of performance-enhancing substances. These developments, however, provide evidence of the comprehensive nature of our anti-drug efforts. Through our Department of Investigations, we have been actively involved in the issues in South Florida. It is also important to note that three of the players allegedly involved have already been disciplined under the Joint Drug Program."
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