Yankee Alex Rodrguez has been suspended by Major League Baseball for 211 games which includes the entire 2014 season starting Thursday.

Alex Rodriguez akes a lead off first base during a rehab game for the Trenton Thunder against the Reading Fightin Phils at Arm & Hammer Park
Alex Rodriguez akes a lead off first base during a rehab game for the Trenton Thunder against the Reading Fightin Phils at Arm & Hammer Park (Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
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Rodriguez, a three-time Most Valuable Player and baseball's highest-paid star, will be allowed to continue playing until his appeal is heard.

"I am disappointed with the penalty and intend to appeal and fight this through the process. I am eager to get back on the field and be with my teammates in Chicago tonight," Rodriguez said in a statement.

"We are compelled to address certain reckless and false allegations concerning the Yankees' role in this matter," the Yankees said in their statement. "The New York Yankees in no way instituted and/or assisted MLB in the direction of this investigation; or used the investigation as an attempt to avoid its responsibilities under a player contract; or did its medical staff fail to provide the appropriate standard of care to Alex Rodriguez."

A-Rod admitted four years ago that he used performance-enhancing drugs while with Texas from 2001-03 but has repeatedly denied using them since.

A-Rod is the final player to be punished in the Biogenesis case.

The Major League Players Association backs Rodriguez's appeal of his suspension. "We agree with his decision to fight his suspension. We believe that the Commissioner has not acted appropriately under the Basic Agreement. Mr. Rodriguez knows that the Union, consistent with its history, will defend his rights vigorously," they said in a statement.

All players targeted for drug suspensions other than Alex Rodriguez have accepted 50-game penalties from Major League Baseball.

The other players to be suspended according to Major League Baseball:

• New York Mets outfielder Cesar Puello, who is currently on the roster of the Double-A Binghamton Mets of the Eastern League; and

• Mets infielder/outfielder Jordany Valdespin, who is currently on the roster of the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s of the Pacific Coast League.

• Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Antonio Bastardo;

• New York Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli;

• Yankees outfielder Fernando Martinez, who is currently on the roster of the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of the International League;

• San Diego Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera;

• Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz;

• Padres pitcher Fautino De Los Santos, who is currently on the roster of the Double-A San Antonio Missions of the Texas League;

• Houston Astros pitcher Sergio Escalona, who is currently of the roster of the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks of the Texas League;

• Seattle Mariners catcher Jesus Montero, who is currently on the roster of the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League;

• Free agent pitcher Jordan Norberto; • Detroit Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta; Norberto's suspension will be effective immediately once he signs with another Major League organization. All other suspensions are effective immediately. None of the players will appeal their discipline.

Rodriguez's suspension is more severe, according the MLB, is for "attempting to cover up his violations of the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program by engaging in a course of conduct intended to obstruct and frustrate the Office of the Commissioner's investigation.
Milwaukee outfielder Ryan Braun accepted a 65-game suspension two weeks ago, bringing to 14 the number of players — including Rodriguez — facing discipline in the probe, which was sparked when the Miami New Times published documents obtained from former Biogenesis associate Porter Fisher that linked several players to the clinic.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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