The Biogenesis-related suspensions from Major League Baseball are now official, and the Texas Rangers’ Nelson Cruz has indeed agreed to accept his 50-game suspension without appeal. Cruz also issued a statement explaining his violation of the league’s policies banning performance-enhancing drugs:
Cruz said his punishment was a result of “an error in judgment,” saying he had been seriously ill in early 2012 with a gastrointestinal infection called helicobacter pylori that went undiagnosed for more than a month.
“By the time I was properly diagnosed and treated, I had lost 40 pounds,” Cruz said in the news release. “Just weeks before I was to report to spring training in 2012, I was unsure whether I would be physically able to play. Faced with this situation, I made an error in judgment that I deeply regret, and I accept full responsibility for that error. I should have handled the situation differently, and my illness was no excuse. I am thankful for the unwavering support of my family, friends, and teammates during this difficult time. I look forward to regaining the trust and respect of the Rangers organization, my teammates, and the great Rangers’ fans, and I am grateful for the opportunity to rejoin the team for the playoffs.”
