A-Rod makes vaque apology, turns down news conference

NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez issued a fiveparagraph handwritten apology "for the mistakes that led to my suspension" on Tuesday without detailing specifics about his use of performanceenhancing drugs.

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

Rodriguez held an apologetic news conference in 2009 at the team's facility in Tampa, Florida, after he admitted using banned substances while with Texas from 200103, before Major League Baseball had a drug agreement with penalties.

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

Commissioner Bud Selig suspended Rodriguez for 211 games in August 2013, citing conduct from 2010-12 uncovered during MLB's investigation of Biogenesis, which was based in Coral Gables, Florida, not far from Rodriguez's home.

Rodriguez directed the players' association to file a grievance and filed a l awsuit against t he Yankees' team doctor, accusing him of mishandling his medical care. After a hearing, arbitrator Fredric Horowitz reduced the penalty to the 2014 season, finding clear and convincing evidence" Rodriguez used t hree banned substances and twice tried to obstruct the baseball's drug investigation.

While proclaiming his innocence, Rodriguez sued MLB and the union in an effort t o overturn t he penalty, then dropped the litigation and accepted the suspension. He is due to report to the Yankees on Feb. 25 and start workouts the following day. (AP)