Arbitrator Poised to Issue Decision in Appeal Over A-Rod’s 211-Game Suspension

The independent arbitrator who is now considering an appeal over Major League Baseball (MLB) player Alex Rodriguez’s unprecedented 211-game suspension, Fredric Horowitz, will reportedly issue a decision to uphold, reduce, or toss the penalty in the near future.  MLB Commissioner Bud Selig issued the record setting suspension in August after Rodriguez was cited for violations of the Players Association’s Basic and Joint Drug Agreements with the organization over his alleged connection to the now-defunct Biogenesis anti-aging clinic.

The suspension was handed down despite that Rodriguez did not test positive for performance enhancing drugs at the time.  Due to the length of the suspension, some have criticized arbitrator Horowitz for failing to require Commissioner Selig to testify at the arbitral hearing.  Although the Players Association agreements normally require a decision to be rendered within 25 days, legal briefs were apparently not submitted to arbitrator Horowitz until about one month after the appeal hearing concluded on November 21st.  A decision could be released any day now.

Stay tuned to Disputing for more on the arbitrator’s decision in this fascinating case!