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A-Rod, Gio Gonzalez issue PED denials

In response to the New Times of Miami PED/Anthony Bosch story published Tuesday, New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez has issued a complete denial. Gio Gonzalez of the Washington Nationals did likewise and Texas Rangers slugger Nelson Cruz, through his lawyer, had no comment.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post gets the honors of reporting A-Rod:

“The news report about a purported relationship between Alex Rodriguez and Anthony Bosch are not true. Alex Rodriguez was not Mr. Bosch’s patient, he was never treated by him and he was never advised by him. The purported documents referenced in the story — at least as they relate to Alex Rodriguez — are not legitimate.”

A-Rod's name was mentioned 16 times in Bosch's records, saying he bought testosterone, HGH and another substance banned by Major League Baseball as recently as 2012. As recently as 2009, A-Rod denied using PEDs after 2003. Rodriguez repeated those denials Tuesday.

Gonzalez, a new name to the steroid association game, also issued a denial after his name came up five times in Bosch's records. Amanda Comak of the The Washington Times has Gonzalez's statement:

UPDATE: In a statement issued through his representatives, Gonzalez said: "I've never used performance-enhancing drugs of any kind, and I never will. I've never met or spoken with Tony Bosch or used any substances provided by him. Anything said to the contrary is a lie."

Cruz, also a PED-association virgin until now, also was named in the Bosch papers. Through his attorney and via the Dallas Morning News, Cruz was brief as possible in saying nothing:

UPDATE 11 a.m.: Seth Levinson has declined comment on behalf of his client Nelson Cruz

He'll probably have to offer more of a rebuttal soon.

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