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When the names first started to trickle out in the Biogenesis investigation saga months ago, Danny Valencia, who had yet to even report to spring training as an Oriole, was one of those mentioned in the fringes of the whole affair. He was not one of those repeatedly focused on, such as Milwaukee's Ryan Braun, in the subsequent reporting, but the last couple of days have seen mention of "mystery" suspensions have raised the question of whether he might be caught up in the investigation after all.
However, with hours to go until Monday's announcement of the suspension, those names have trickled out, and Valencia is not one of them. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports specifically named Valencia as having "no violations found", which would seem to indicate he was investigated but not suspended.
Various media outlets have reported the final list of players expected to be announced to receive suspensions of at least 50 games, effective today: Nelson Cruz, Jhonny Peralta, Francisco Cervelli, Jesus Montero, Everth Cabrera of the Padres, Antonio Bastardo of the Phillies, Jordany Valdespin of the Mets, and minor leaguers Cesar Puello (Mets), Fernando Martinez (Yankees, signed by Mets), and Sergio Escalona (Astros). Additionally, free agents Jordan Norberto and Fautino De Los Santos will be suspended.
These are all players who are expected to accept the suspensions without appealing.
Of course, there's still Alex Rodriguez and whatever ends up happening with him. Sunday night's reports indicated that he would be allowed to play pending an appeal of the suspension MLB intends to give him, which is the proscribed procedure in the Joint Drug Agreement between MLB and the players union.
Valencia is not exactly a core part of the Orioles team, and in fact will probably be optioned back to Triple-A Norfolk later on Monday when Brian Roberts returns from the paternity list. Orioles fans remember well what it was like to have the team caught up in an infamous steroid suspension, and that would have been no fun to repeat, even for a fringe player. They are in the clear this time.