MLB apparently hopes to suspend multiple players for PED use, with the sum total of evidence being unverified records provided by Biogenesis and Tony Bosch's testimony. Is there a precedent for that kind of suspension — one without any positive tests — in baseball?
Yes. As I wrote in January:
Baseball's Joint Drug Agreement [PDF] does allow the league to suspend suspected PED users based on "just cause." Five years ago, MLB suspended Braves outfielder Jordan Schafer for HGH use without a failed drug test. At the time, MLB spokesman Mike Teevan justified the suspension by saying, "We have non-analytic means of identifying players. He falls under that category."
In the current case, MLB expects Bosch to verify the authenticity and accuracy of documents linking the named players to the use, possession, sale, and/or distribution of PEDs. OTL's report implies that Bosch's testimony could be enough to further or maybe even clinch the league's perceived attempt to issue multiple suspensions.
