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No further suspension for Cabrera in Biogenesis case

Melky Cabrera will not face further discipline from Major League Baseball for his involvement in the Biogenesis investigation.

MLB on Monday suspended 13 players as a result of the league's Biogenesis investigation. Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez received the stiffest penalty - a 211-game ban without pay through the end of the 2014 regular season. Rodriguez, 38, has appealed the suspension, which is to begin Thursday. His case will be heard by arbitrator Fredric Horowitz. Rodriguez's discipline, MLB said in its written announcement, is based on his use and possession of numerous forms of prohibited performance-enhancing substances, including testosterone and human growth hormone, over the course of multiple years. Rodriguez's discipline under the basic agreement is for attempting to cover up his violations of the program by engaging in a course of conduct intended to "obstruct and frustrate" the investigation.

Cabrera was suspended for 50 games last season while playing for San Francisco after he tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone. Along with Oakland's Bartolo Colon and San Diego's Yasmani Grandal, Cabrera was not further punished because all three players had been previously suspended for violations stemming from their connections to Biogenesis.

The release by MLB confirmed what the Blue Jays have been saying since the news about the anti-aging clinic first leaked in Spring Training. General manager Alex Anthopoulos said at the time he did not believe Cabrera was at risk of having to serve another suspension because he had already served time.

"We didn't expect anything would happen, but we didn't know for sure," manager John Gibbons said. "We were pretty much by it anyway. He served his time, just like these guys will."

Cabrera is on the 15-day disabled list with a left knee injury, and a timetable for his return to the Blue Jays' lineup remains uncertain. He is hitting .279 with three homers and 30 RBIs in 88 games this season.

The 12 players who were handed 50-game suspensions on Monday include Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta, Mariners catcher Jesus Montero, Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera, Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli, Phillies reliever Antonio Bastardo and recently demoted Mets utility man Jordany Valdespin. Minor Leaguers Fernando Martinez, Jordan Norberto, Fautino de los Santos, Cesar Puello and Sergio Escalona were also suspended.

Gregor Chisholm is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, North of the Border, and follow him on Twitter @gregorMLB.
Read More: Toronto Blue Jays, Melky Cabrera