MLB suit targets Biogenesis, seeks unspecified damages
Major League Baseball on Friday sued a now-shuttered South Florida clinic and its operators, accusing them of scheming to provide banned performance-enhancing drugs to players in violation of their contracts.
The lawsuit in Miami-Dade Circuit Court seeks unspecified damages from Coral Gables anti-aging clinic Biogenesis of America and its operator, Anthony Bosch. Several other Bosch associates are named in the lawsuit. A phone message left for a Bosch representative wasn’t immediately returned, and associates have said Anthony Bosch is out of the country.
MLB contends the clinic’s operators solicited players to use banned substances knowing that would violate their contracts, specifically the drug prevention and treatment program that became effective in 2003. That program, part of baseball’s collective bargaining agreement with players, includes a list of banned substances, lays out penalties for violations and imposes testing requirements.
Because of the alleged conspiracy, the lawsuit contends MLB has suffered “costs of investigation, loss of goodwill, loss of revenue and profits and injury to its reputation, image, strategic advantage and fan relationships,” attorneys Allen Weitzman and Matthew Menchel wrote in the complaint.
Clearing the bases
The New York Mets say they plan to put pitcher Johan Santana on the disabled list for the start of the season. Santana hasn’t pitched in a spring training game and hasn’t thrown a bullpen session since March 3. … Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Adam Eaton will be out for up to two months with a left elbow sprain. … The Washington Nationals have signed left-handed reliever J.C. Romero to a minor league contract. In 680 career games, the 36-year-old has a 34-28 record with seven saves and a 4.16 ERA. … The Minnesota Twins have put left-hander Scott Diamond on the 15-day disabled list as he continues his recovery from arthroscopic surgery on his pitching elbow. …San Diego Padres right-hander Casey Kelly will have Tommy John surgery on his pitching arm the first week of April. He is expected to miss 12 to 18 months.