Pitcher and catchers report in less than a week, and it appears one Mariners catcher will have some tough questions to answer when he arrives in Arizona. According to the New York Daily News, Jesus Montero is named in records of Biogenesis, a South Florida anti-aging clinic that has been linked to performance-enhancing drugs.
As the Daily News points out, Montero is a client of agents Seth and Sam Levinson, who have been under investigation by Major League Baseball since another of their clients, Melky Cabrera, failed a drug test and earned a 50-game suspension.
Montero is just the latest name to be tied to Biogenesis since the Miami New Times broke the story last week that the since-closed clinic had been supplying PEDs to some of baseball’s biggest names, including Alex Rodriguez, Gio Gonzalez and Nelson Cruz. On Monday, Yahoo! Sports reported that Brewers star Ryan Braun was also linked to the clinic.
So what does this mean for Montero and the Mariners? Well that remains to be seen. Having your name on a list doesn’t make you a cheat, but having your name come up in all of this is certainly not good news. MLB is investigating the clinic, so this could become an issue at some point for a player the Mariners expect to be a big part of their future.
MLB spokesman Pat Courtney responded to an email inquiry saying, “Any name connected to our ongoing efforts in South Florida will be vigorously investigated.”
UPDATE
Asked about the report, the Mariners issued the following response:
The Seattle Mariners strongly support Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, and are disappointed any time we hear of any players potentially involved with banned substances.
We are aware of the report which appeared today in the New York Daily News and have been in contact with Major League Baseball to discuss it.
This matter is now in the hands of the Commissioner’s Office. At this time, with no additional information, we will have no further comment until that investigation has concluded, and all other questions should be directed to Major League Baseball.
Seattle Times Mariners reporter Geoff Baker caught up with Montero after a workout in Arizona, and Montero said he had “no clue” how his name ended up in the report.
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