TAMPA, Fla. — Yankees star Alex Rodriguez has been contacted by federal investigators regarding a Canadian doctor accused of selling an unapproved drug.
Rodriguez said Monday he was “aware” of the investigation and plans on cooperating with officials who are looking into Dr. Anthony Galea. Rodriguez said a date for an interview has not been set.
“I can’t really get into that,” Rodriguez said. “I have to speak to those guys first. I’ve just got to wait for instructions.”
Galea is facing four charges in his country related to the drug known as Actovegin, which is extracted from calf’s blood and used for healing. His assistant also has been charged in the U.S. for having HGH and another drug while crossing the border in September.
Rodriguez said the probe won’t have an effect on him because “this is about someone else.” He declined comment when asked if he has even been treated by Galea.
“I’m focused on baseball,” Rodriguez said.
• Yankees closer Mariano Rivera threw 21 fastballs in a bullpen session and said he felt “real good” afterward.
Cabrera refutes “alcoholic” label
LAKELAND, Fla. — Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera said he does not drink anymore and insists he is not an alcoholic.
“You guys write in the paper ‘alcoholic.’ That’s not right,” Cabrera said. “I don’t know how to explain, but it’s not an alcohol problem.”
Last season, Cabrera apologized to his teammates for being drunk on a weekend while the Tigers were trying to clinch the AL Central Division title. They later lost the division in a tiebreaker against Minnesota. Cabrera spent much of the winter undergoing counseling. He said he doesn’t miss drinking.
Call of duty clouds Choo’s future
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Due to circumstances beyond his control, Indians outfielder and native of South Korea Shin-Soo Choo is uncertain if his major-league career will be interrupted.
Choo faces a potential problem that has nothing to do with baseball. South Korean men are required to serve two years in the military by the time they turn 30 years old. Choo will be 28 in July.
Choo has options. The best alternative would be to play for South Korea in the 2010 Asian Games in November. If South Korea wins the gold medal, Choo said his military obligation would be waived.
“It’s hanging over my head a little bit,” Choo said.
Footnotes.
Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton is day to day with a bruised left shoulder.
• The Missouri Senate voted unanimously to rename a section of Interstate 70 from the Mark McGwire Highway to the Mark Twain Highway. The measure now goes to the House.
• Many maple bats will be banned in the minor leagues as part of baseball’s push to stop shattered shards of wood from flying dangerously through the air.
Denver Post wire services
