/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/16188879/173196263.0.jpg)
We received another chapter in the Ryan Braun/Biogenesis saga today, as usual via ESPN. They're reporting that Braun met with MLB investigators on June 29 but refused to answer questions, and that MLB is preparing to suspend Braun and others for refusal to cooperate with their investigation.
If Braun is suspended, he likely won't be alone: The ESPN story says that ten players have met with MLB and refused to answer questions. One of them is Alex Rodriguez, of course. A "source with knowledge of the situation" told ESPN that Braun and others are expected to be suspended following next week's All Star break.
For what it's worth, an MLB spokesperson told Tom Haudricourt the report is "premature" and no decision to suspend has been made.
The report cast a dark cloud over Braun's return to the lineup tonight following a month off with a thumb injury. After the game, Braun issued the following brief statement to reporters:
"In regards to that whole crazy situation, the truth still hasn't changed," Braun said. "I'm still going to continue to respect the process and not discuss anything in the media. Beyond that, the vast majority of stories that have come out are inaccurate. But aside from that I'm not going to say anything else tonight."
Here's the usual caveat that all of this is speculation until MLB actually has something to announce. And none of us can say with any certainty when that will happen.