Major League Baseball won’t suspend New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez for his alleged involvement in illegal poker games, according to the New York Post.
“Even if it is determined that he was [playing illegal poker], he will not be suspended at this time for this infraction,” a source told the newspaper. “He will be warned again, and not lightly.”
According to the Post, the league, while disapproving of Rodriguez’s behavior, does not feel the allegations are serious enough for a suspension.
Rodriguez, who has still not met with MLB officials, was earlier linked to underground big-money card games that attracted celebrities like Tobey Maguire and Matt Damon, according to Star Magazine.
Richard Rubenstein, a Rodriguez spokesman, told reporters that A-Rod “has not participated in these poker games.”
ESPNNewYork.com reported that MLB investigators are expected to meet with Rodriguez, who is rehabbing his injured knee in Tampa, “in the next couple of weeks.” According to the same report, the MLB is more interested if A-Rod was involved with the alleged use of cocaine at the games.
MLB officials previously warned Rodriguez about his poker playing in 2005.