MLB players under scrutiny in PED scandal

Player A: "I have nothing to hide."

Player B: "I’ve never taken performance-enhancing drugs and I never will."

Player C: "I have never used performance-enhancing drugs. Period. Anybody who says otherwise is lying."

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun is Player A and that was his reaction after Major League Baseball overturned his 50-game suspension in February 2012 for elevated testosterone.

On July 22, he accepted a 65-game suspension for unspecified "violations" of both baseball's drug program and labour contract, according to MLB commissioner Bud Selig.

Player B is Washington Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez, who is said to have paid $1,000 US for questionable dietary supplements.

And Player C is Jhonny Peralta, the 31-year-old shortstop who was batting a career-high .308 for the Tigers through Tuesday.

Who’s telling the truth? All of them? Maybe some. Perhaps none. They are among about 20 players MLB is said to be ready to suspend as soon as Thursday or Friday for their reported connection to Biogenesis, the alleged PED distribution clinic in Miami.

Three-time MVP Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees stands to receive the longest suspension. The Yankees expected him to be accused of recruiting other athletes for the clinic, attempting to obstruct MLB's investigation, and not being truthful with MLB in the past when he discussed his relationship with Dr. Anthony Galea, who pleaded guilty two years ago to a federal charge of bringing unapproved drugs into the United States from Canada.

Below are profiles of the players under scrutiny.

Ryan Braun, OF, Milwaukee

• Age: 29
• 2013 stats:.298, 9 HR, 38 RBIs, 4 SB (suspended for rest of season)
• Best season(s): 2012: .319, 41 HR, 112 RBIs, 30 SB; 2011: .332, 33 HR, 111 RBIs, 33 SB
• Tested positive for banned substance in December 2011 and had 50-game ban overturned in February 2012.

Everth Cabrera, SS, San Diego

• Age: 26
• 2013 stats:.281, 4 HR, 28 RBIs, 37 SB (91 games)
• Best season(s): 2012: .246, 2 HR, 24 RBIs, 44 SB
• Among five players reportedly listed in records of Biogenesis clinic and linked to PEDs.

Melky Cabrera, OF, Toronto

• Age: 28
• 2013 stats:.281, 3 HR, 30 RBIs, 2 SB (86 games)
• Best season(s): 2012: .346, 11 HR, 60 RBIs, 13 SB (113 games); 2011: .305, 18 HR, 87 RBIs, 20 SB
• Suspended 50 games in August 2012 following positive test for excessive levels of testosterone.

Francisco Cervelli, C, NY Yankees

• Age: 27
• 2013 stats:.269, 3 HR, 8 RBIs (17 games)
• Best season(s): 2010: .271, 0 HR, 38 RBIs, 1 SB (93 games)
• Admitted to meeting with Bosch once in 2011 while nursing a broken foot and received supplements, but insisted they weren’t on MLB’s banned list.

Bartolo Colon, SP, Oakland

• Age: 40
• 2013 stats: 14-3, 2.54 ERA, 1.09 WHIP (21 starts)
• Best season(s): 2005: 21-8, 3.48 (won AL Cy Young Award); 2002: 20-8, 2.93
• Suspended 50 games in August 2012 for excessive levels of testosterone.

Nelson Cruz, OF, Texas

• Age: 33
• 2013 stats:.271, 24 HR, 72 RBIs, 5 SB (103 games)
• Best season(s): 2011: .263, 29 HR, 87 RBIs, 9 SB; 2009: .260, 33 HR, 76 RBIs, 20 SB
• Linked to PEDs in February 2013

Fautino de los Santos, RP, Milwaukee

• Age: 27
• 2013 stats: 0-1, 3.86 ERA (2 games) at triple-A Tucson
• Best season(s): 2011: 3-2, 4.32, 43 SO in 33 1/3 innings (34 games)
• Had name linked to PEDs in February 2013.

Gio Gonzalez, SP, Washington

• Age: 27
• 2013 stats: 7-3, 2.97 ERA, 136 SO in 130 1/3 innings (21 starts)
• Best season(s): 2012: 21-8, 2.89, 207 SO; 2011: 16-12, 3.12, 197 SO
• Nationals lefty reportedly only received legal substances.

Yasmani Grandal, C, San Diego

• Age: 24
• 2013 stats:.216, homer, 9 RBIs, .352 on-base percentage (28 games), injured, out for season
• Best season(s): 2012: .297, 8 HR, 36 RBIs, .394 OBP (60 games)
• Suspended 50 games in November 2012 for excessive levels of testosterone.

Fernando Martinez, OF, Houston

• Age: 24
• 2013 stats:.182, 1 HR, 3 RBIs (11 games) with Houston; .266, 7 HRs, 39 RBIs (51 games at triple-A)
• Best season(s): 2012: .314, 13 HR, 62 RBIs (90 games) at triple-A Oklahoma City
• Linked with four others in February 2013 of buying PEDs. His progress has been hampered by repeated trips to disabled list.

Jesus Montero, C, Seattle

• Age: 23
• 2013 stats:.208, 3 HR, 9 RBIs (demoted to triple-A Tacoma on May 22); .244, HR (22 games in minors)
• Best season(s): 2012 - .260, 15 HR, 62 RBIs (135 games)
• Former New York Yankees top prospect had surgery in June to repair torn meniscus in left knee.

Jordan Norberto, RP, Oakland

• Age: 26
• 2013 stats: 0-1, 40.50 ERA, 7 BB in 1 1/3 innings (3 games) at triple-A Sacramento
• Best season(s): 2012: 4-1, 2.77 ERA, 46 SO in 52 innings (39 games)
• Linked to PEDs in February 2013. Athletics shut down left-hander in August 2012 with shoulder tendinitis.

Jhonny Peralta, SS, Detroit

• Age: 31
• 2013 stats:. 308, 10 HR, 53 RBIs, 3 SB, .363 OBP (100 games)
• Best season(s): 2011: .299, 21 HR, 86 RBIs; 2005: .292, 24 HR, 78 RBIs
• Linked to PEDs in February 2013

Cesar Puello, OF, NY Mets

• Age: 22
• 2013 stats:.333, 16 HR, 73 RBIs, 24 SB (88 games) at double-A Binghamton
• Best season(s): 2011: .259, 10 HR, 50 RBIs, 19 SB (Class-A Advanced); 2010: .292, 1 HR, 34 RBIs, 45 SB (single-A)
• Missed extensive time last season with broken bone in hand.

Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NY Yankees

• Age: 38
• 2013 stats: On disabled list all season recovering from left hip surgery.
• Best season(s): 2007: .314, 54 HR, 156 RBIs, .422 on-base percentage; 2002: .300, 57 HR, 142 RBIs, 9 SB, .392 OBP; 2001: .318, 52 HR, 135 RBIs, 18 SB, .399 OBP
• In 2009, Rodriguez admitted to PED use during a three-year period beginning in 2001 while a member of the Texas Rangers. But he is denying any connection to the Biogenesis clinic.