The steroid controversy involving baseball superstar Alex Rodriguez has prompted the Major League Baseball (MLB) to probe the statements made by Rodriguez regarding his use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Based on the report of The New York Times last Saturday night, MLB people who are involved in the steroid investigation have already contacted some of the All-Star baseman’s associates in order to determine whether or not he used drugs for a longer period as compared to his statement. Rodriguez has admitted in February that he used steroids while playing for the Texas Rangers from 2001-2003 but stopped in 2004 when he was traded to the Yankees.

The upcoming book of Selena Roberts entitled “A-Book” refuted Rodriguez’s statement saying that he may have used steroids as early as high school.

The Times also reported in its website that Roberts was also contacted by MLB investigators but refused to cooperate with the steroid investigation. “I said that as a journalist, I cover MLB, and cooperating with them on this would be a conflict of interest, and he said that he understood the position that I am in,” said Roberts.

Citing unnamed sources within baseball who were briefed on the situation, The Times also reported that the MLB steroid investigation began after Rodriguez met with the League officials on March 1 at Tampa, Florida.

The March investigation was still unclear whether the investigators were looking into whether Rodriguez tipped pitches to opponents during blowouts while still playing with the Rangers, an allegation which is also included in the book of Roberts.

After his hip surgery last March and rehabilitation in Florida, A-Rod took another leap toward his Yankees return on Saturday by playing defense for the first time after the injury. He played third base for five innings in an extended spring training against the Pittsburgh minor leaguers. A-Rod went 0-for-6 with two strikeouts and has two hits in 18 at-bats with three walks over three extended spring games.

Rodriguez stayed mum on the steroid allegations and only answered questions regarding his baseball career. He said that everything felt good and he called Saturday “an important day”. “It’s been a while since I’ve been out on the field. When you go out and play the field, it definitely makes you feel like you have to do everything in the game. Be on every pitch. I liked it a lot better,” he added.

Rodriguez, a three-time ALMVP, feels ahead of the Yankee’s target return date of May 15. There is even a possibility that he could re-join the team on May 8-10, a weekend series at Baltimore.

Dr. March Philippon, who operated his hip injury early March, examined Rodriguez on Wednesday and assured him that nothing bad will happen.

The MLB is an organization that is in-charge of the National League and the American League operation. It operates as a single league and is comprised of one of the major professional sports leagues of the United States. Currently, it is composed of 30 teams—29 in the US and 1 in Canada.

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