New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter plans to wait until teammate Alex Rodriguez addresses his latest off-the-field controversy before commenting on the matter.
The Miami New Times reported last week that Rodriguez bought human growth hormone and other performance-enhancing substances during 2009-12 from Biogenesis of America LLC, a now-closed anti-aging clinic in Coral Cables, near Rodriguez's off-season home.The new public relations firm for the three-time AL MVP issued a statement denying the allegations."I don't comment on anyone until they speak first," Jeter said Monday. "Let him address his situation before I comment on it. Let him speak first and then we'll talk about that."Rodriguez admitted four years ago that he used PEDs from 2001-03. He had hip surgery last month and is expected to be sidelined until after the All-Star break.Jeter started his second week of workouts on a baseball field after breaking his left ankle last October. The 38-year-old fielded 55 grounders on the grass in front of the infield dirt at shortstop at the team's minor league complex. He also hit in a batting cage.Astros trade pairThe Oakland Athletics acquired infielder Jed Lowrie and right-hander Fernando Rodriguez from the Houston Astros for first baseman Chris Carter and two minor leaguers.Right-hander Brad Peacock and catcher Max Stassi also went to Houston in the deal between franchises that will be playing in the same division for the first time following the Astros' move from the NL Central to the AL West in 2013.Lowrie batted .244 with 16 homers and 42 RBIs in 97 games with Houston, missing two months with ankle and thumb injuries. Despite the limited playing time, Lowrie tied for the fourth most homers among all shortstops last year.He played exclusively at shortstop last season but previously played second and third base as well during his four years with the Boston Red Sox. The A's had previously signed Japanese shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima to a $6.5 million, two-year contract to be an everyday player and could use Lowrie at a variety of positions.Tigers, Scherzer agreeThe Detroit Tigers agreed to a one-year, $6,725,000 contract with right-hander Max Scherzer and avoided salary arbitration.Scherzer was 16-7 last season with a 3.74 and struck out 231, a total that trailed only teammate Justin Verlander. He was 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in the postseason, helping Detroit reach the World Series.The Tigers acquired Scherzer after the 2009 season from Arizona as part of a three-team trade that sent Curtis Granderson to the New York Yankees and Edwin Jackson to the Diamondbacks.They also acquired Austin Jackson and Phil Coke in the deal.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
