Rodriguez reportedly tested positive in 2006

NEW YORK – Alex Rodriguez tested positive for a banned stimulant in 2006, the New York Times reported Monday, an accusation denied by a representative of the legal team for the New York Yankees’ third baseman.

The newspaper cited two unidentified people involved with baseball’s drug-testing program.

Baseball’s joint drug agreement specifies the discipline for a first positive test for a banned stimulant is six additional unannounced drug tests over the year following the violation. A second stimulant violation would result in a 25-game suspension.

Rodriguez’s legal team accused MLB of leaking the allegation of a positive test, using a statement and making a filing to arbitrator Fredric Horowitz.

Lanny Davis, a former Clinton administration official working for Rodriguez’s legal team, denied the player tested positive, the Times said. James McCarroll, a lawyer for the three-time A.L. MVP, did not address whether Rodriguez had a positive test, only that he was not banned.

“Alex Rodriguez was never suspended for use of stimulants or any violation of the MLB drug program,” McCarroll said in a statement. “The fact that MLB has resorted to leaking federally protected medical information about a player speaks volumes of the weakness of their case against Alex – and their desperation to secure a win in the arbitration, at all costs.”

MLB chief operating officer Rob Manfred declined comment.