Alex Rodriguez Reportedly Admitted PED Use to DEA in January 2014

Alex Rodriguez is eligible to make his return to the New York Yankees next season after serving a 162-game ban for his connection to the Biogenesis scandal. While he's publicly maintained his innocence, he reportedly told a different story to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Jay Weaver of the Miami Herald reports Rodriguez was granted immunity for further information, which he revealed in January. He admitted to federal officials that he purchased performance-enhancing drugs from Anthony Bosch and used his cousin, Yuri Sucart, as a middle man.

"

According to a written "report of investigation," Rodriguez admitted paying Bosch for supplies of testosterone cream, lozenges laced with testosterone (aka "gummies") and human growth hormone injections.

"Rodriguez injected the HGH into his stomach," the DEA report stated. "Rodriguez said Bosch told him the HGH would help with sleep, weight, hair growth, eyesight and muscle recovery."

"

The report also states Rodriguez adopted a drug-testing technique from Bosch that surrounded the use of only "mid-stream urine." It was apparently effective as he passed a test while using the PEDs.

He had met Bosch through Sucart and decided to work with the clinic founder, who drew blood from Rodriguez and provided him with syringes to inject into his stomach.

Later, the longtime MLB superstar would pay Sucart $900,000 to maintain silence about the connection between him and Bosch.

This would mark the second time Rodriguez admitted to PED use. Back in 2009 he spoke to Peter Gammons about his time with the Texas Rangers, which lasted from 2001 through 2003.

Bryan Hoch of MLB.com passed along his statement at that time:

"

When I arrived in Texas in 2001, I felt an enormous amount of pressure. I felt like I had all the weight of the world on top of me, and I needed to perform—and perform at a high level—every day.

Back then, it was a different culture. It was very loose. I was young, I was stupid, I was naïve. I wanted to prove to everyone that I was worth being one of the greatest players of all-time.

I did take a banned substance, and for that I'm very sorry. I'm deeply regretful. I'm sorry for that time, I'm sorry to my fans, I'm sorry to my fans in Texas. It wasn't until then that I ever thought about substances of any kind. Since then, I've proved to myself and to everyone that I don't need any of that.

"

How the latest revelation could impact his status is unclear. As mentioned, Rodriguez was recently cleared to return for next season after sitting out this year. The Yankees have to decide how to move forward assuming MLB takes no further action.

One thing's for sure: With each passing steroid admission, the chances of Rodriguez being remembered for anything he accomplished on the field are fading.