Puello chooses not to talk about Biogenisis link

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Mets prospect Cesar Puello declined comment on an ESPN report connecting him to a South Florida clinic that has been linked to performance-enhancing drugs.

"All the questions are going to the Players Association," Puello said Wednesday. "I'm here to play baseball, and we can talk about baseball."

When pressed, Puello said, "I got to go work," and walked away.

An ESPN "Outside the Lines" report Tuesday evening linked Puello, Astros (and former Mets) outfielder Fernando Martinez, Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera, A's reliever Jordan Norberto and Padres reliever Fautino De Los Santos to Biogenesis, the clinic reportedly connected to stars such as Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun and Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz.

Sources told ESPN that the new names were on a list that appeared to identify players who received drugs.

Major League Baseball is currently investigating the clinic, and the Mets deferred to the league in a statement Tuesday evening.

"Because of the ongoing investigation, we have no comment," the team wrote. "We refer all questions to Major League Baseball."

Puello, ranked the 14th-best Mets prospect by MLB.com, is coming off a disappointing 2012 season that saw him miss nearly two months with a broken left hamate bone and a hamstring injury. The outfielder finished with a .260 average, four home runs and 19 steals in 227 at-bats at Class A St. Lucie.