Gio Gonzalez Reportedly Didn't Receive PEDs from Miami-Based Clinic

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez arrived at spring training defiant, saying he never received performance-enhancing drugs from Tony Bosch's drug clinic, Biogenesis.

Based on the latest reports coming from ESPN's Mike Fish and T.J. Quinn, it seems the left-handed ace is telling the truth. According to two independent sources close to the operation, Gonzalez is identified as an outlier, having never received any PEDs:

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According to two sources familiar with Bosch's operation, however, the Washington Nationals' Gio Gonzalez, previously identified as being named in Biogenesis documents, did not receive banned substances from Bosch or the clinic.

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Fish and Quinn later report that independent verification of documents points toward Gonzalez being clean as well. According to documents that detail Bosch's operation, the Nationals star did receive $1,000 worth of substances from Biogenesis, but none are banned by Major League Baseball.

Gonzalez's name was first brought into the performance-enhancing-drugs conversation when the Miami New Times broke a report detailing Biogenesis in January. He, along with other prominent major leaguers like Alex Rodriguez, Nelson Cruz and Melky Cabrera, were named among Bosch's most noteworthy clients.

Gonzalez was said to have received performance-enhancers from Bosch, which would have been especially notable considering his recent ascent.

Last season in Washington, Gonzalez enjoyed by far the most success of his professional career.

The 27-year-old finished 2012 with a 21-8 record, 2.89 ERA and 1.13 WHIP while putting up a career-high 4.5 wins above replacement. Gonzalez finished third in the National League Cy Young race and was critical to bringing the Nationals their first division championship since moving to the nation's capital.

Expectations are even higher heading into 2013, so Gonzalez is expected to once again anchor the Nationals staff.

With his name cleared by Tuesday's report, one has to guess Gonzalez will have a much easier time doing so come Opening Day.

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