Jhonny Peralta Reportedly Linked to Miami PED Clinic MLB Is Investigating

Detroit Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta's name has been listed in the Biogenesis wellness clinic records as being linked to performance-enhancing drugs, according to Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated. 

Peralta is the 12th name to be leaked to the Miami clinic from the records of Tony Bosch, the director of Biogenesis. He joins names such as Nelson Cruz, Gio Gonzalez and Melky Cabrera.

Barry Boss, the attorney for Peralta, issued the following statement from the accused player: "I have never used performance-enhancing drugs. Period. Anybody who says otherwise is lying."

Tigers president Dave Dombrowski had very little to say about the subject when asked, according to Verducci’s article.

"I won't get into that," he said.

The SI.com report states Peralta doesn’t appear to be directly linked to PEDs, but his name appearing in the record itself has to raise flags for the MLB and for the Tigers' front office.

A 10-year veteran, Peralta has played much of his career (2003-2010) with the Cleveland Indians, where he perennially batted in the cleanup position and averaged more than 150 hits per season.

He was traded to Detroit in July 2010, where he earned his first All-Star appearance in 2011 and has been a major part of their offensive efficiency.

The 30-year-old has established himself as one of the game’s better hitters, notching 1,245 hits for his career to go along with 643 RBI and 145 home runs.

With big MLB names linked to PEDs popping up everywhere this offseason, it’s safe to say Peralta’s name won’t be the last surprise of this offseason.