A-Rod gives apology but no explanation ahead of return

NEW YORK – It appears the only place Alex Rodriguez might detail his drug use is on a witness stand.

The ever controversial New York Yankees star decided against holding a news conference ahead of his return to the team following a one-year absence. He issued a vague five-paragraph handwritten apology Tuesday “for the mistakes that led to my suspension” but failed to provide specifics about how and why he resumed using performance-enhancing drugs for at least the second stretch of his celebrated career.

Readying to report back to the Yankees following an unprecedented season-long ban for violating baseball’s drug agreement and labor contract, Rodriguez apologized to team officials in person during a meeting at the ballpark on Feb. 10. They suggested he hold a news conference before the start of spring training this Friday and offered the use of Yankee Stadium.

Rodriguez declined.

“The only thing I ask from this group today and the American people is to judge me from this day forward,” he said then.

But he apparently did not want to face questions from media about his latest involvement with PEDs – although he could be required to testify in federal court if his cousin, Yuri Sucart, and former University of Miami pitching coach Lazaro Collazo go to trial on charges they committed crimes in their involvement with the Biogenesis of America drug clinic. Rodriguez admitted in court documents he used PEDs.