NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez will be suspended today, likely through the 2014 season, as part of Major League Baseballs latest drug investigation but can play while he appeals, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. Major League Baseball informed the New York Yankees on Sunday that A-Rod will be suspended for his links to a clinic accused of distributing banned performance-enhancing drugs, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity because no statement was authorized. The Yankees werent told the exact length of the suspension, though they were under the impression it will be through the 2014 season, the person said. The Yankees star could get a shorter penalty if he agrees to give up the right to file a grievance and force the case before an arbitrator, the person added. A suspension from Monday through 2014 would add to 214 games, and an unsuccessful appeal could stretch serving the penalty into 2015. In the era before players and owners agreed to a drug plan in late 2002, arbitrators often shortened drug suspensions -- in the case of Yankees pitcher Steve Howe, his penalty was cut from a lifetime ban to 119 days. MLB planned an announcement for noon EDT Monday, a second person familiar with the deliberations said, also on condition of anonymity. Rodriguez is the most famous player linked to the now-closed Biogenesis of America anti-aging clinic in Florida, and the Yankees expect him to be charged with interfering with MLBs investigation, resulting in a harsher penalty than the other 13 players facing discipline. Barring an agreement, Rodriguezs appeal would be heard by arbitrator Fredric Horowitz. Adding to the drama: The 38-year-old Rodriguez, a three-time AL MVP, was due to return to the major leagues Monday night when the Yankees play at Chicago White Sox, his first big league appearance since hip surgery in January. "Hes in there, and Im going to play him," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Sunday after New Yorks 6-3 loss at San Diego. Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson was excited A-Rod could play during an appeal. "I want him back with us. This is arguably one of the best hitters of all-time," he said. "Having him in the lineup is obviously going to be very positive for us." New York is a season-high 9 1/2 games out of first place in the AL East and 4 1/2 out in the race for the second wild-card spot. "Were going to be happy to see him back in the lineup, especially the way weve been playing," second baseman Robinson Cano said. "He can come up and help us win some games." All-Stars Nelson Cruz of Texas, Jhonny Peralta of Detroit and Everth Cabrera of San Diego were among those who could get 50-game suspensions from the probe, sparked in January when Miami New Times published documents linking many players to the closed clinic in Coral Gables, Fla. Many players were expected to agree to penalties and start serving them immediately, but an appeal by a first-offender under the drug agreement would postpone his suspension until after a decision by an arbitrator. Milwaukee outfielder Ryan Braun, the 2011 NL MVP, agreed July 22 to a 65-game ban through the rest of the 2013 season for his role with Biogenesis. Braun was given a 50-game suspension for elevated testosterone that was overturned last year by arbitrator Shyam Das because of issues with the handing of the urine sample, Since spring training, the union has said it will consider stiffer penalties starting in 2014. "The home runs that are hit because a guys on performance-enhancing substances, those ruin somebodys ERA, which ruins their arbitration case, which ruins their salary," Los Angeles Angels pitcher C.J. Wilson said. "So its a whole domino effect." Rodriguezs return from hip surgery was slowed by a quadriceps injury. He completed his second minor league injury rehabilitation assignment on Saturday night, a two-day stay at Double-A Trenton. Rodriguez walked in all four plate appearances, a day after hitting a two-run homer. Following Friday nights game, Rodriguez all but said he thought MLB and the Yankees were conspiring to keep him from getting back to the big leagues. "There is more than one party that benefits from me not ever stepping back on the field. And thats not my teammates and its not the Yankee fans," said, adding: "When all this stuff is going on in the background and people are finding creative ways to cancel your contract and stuff like that, I think thats concerning for me." He last played in October, going 3 for 25 (.120) with no RBIs in the playoffs. Rodriguez is owed $8,568,306 of his $28 million salary from Monday through the rest of the season and $86 million for the final four years of his contract with the Yankees. Girardi didnt think A-Rods arrival would create more turmoil than the Yankees already are used to. "I dont suspect itll be awkward. Most of these guys know him as a teammate and have laughed a lot with Alex and been around Alex a lot," he said. "I think itll be business as usual. Im sure there will be more media there, obviously, tomorrow, but I think thats probably more for Alex to deal with than the rest of the guys. I dont think itll be a big deal." Lawyers involved in the drug cases have been trying to reach agreements that would avoid grievances. Deal or no deal, baseball Commissioner Bud Selig was prepared to announce discipline. Peralta didnt think the possibility of a suspension made it harder to focus on the field. "Nothing to worry about," he said. "Play the game how I play every day, and try to enjoy every day." Asked what action he would take if penalized, Cruz said: "I havent decided what Im going to do." There have been 43 suspensions under the major league drug agreement since testing with penalties for first offences started in 2005. The longest penalty served has been a 100-game suspension by San Francisco pitcher Guillermo Mota for a positive test for Clenbuterol, his second drug offence. In addition, Tampa Bay outfielder Manny Ramirez retired two years ago rather than face a 100-game suspension. When he decided to return for 2012 the penalty was cut to 50 games because he already had sat out almost an entire season. Colorado catcher Eliezer Alfonzo was suspended for 100 games in September 2011, but the penalty was rescinded the following May because of handling issues similar to the ones involving Brauns urine sample.D. J. Wilson Bucks Jersey . After the whistle, Thornton skated the length of the ice, pulled Orpik to the ice from behind and punched him in the face several times. Custom Milwaukee Bucks Jerseys . It was hard for Luck to pull off another comeback, or even get into the end zone, while standing on the sideline. Rivers threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to rookie Keenan Allen and Nick Novak kicked four field goals to give the Chargers a 19-9 victory against the Colts on Monday night. http://www.nbabucksproshop.com/Authentic-Khris-Middleton-Bucks-Jersey/ . It was hard for Luck to pull off another comeback, or even get into the end zone, while standing on the sideline. Rivers threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to rookie Keenan Allen and Nick Novak kicked four field goals to give the Chargers a 19-9 victory against the Colts on Monday night. George Hill Jersey .In my heart and mind Im competing for India, luge competitor Shiva Keshavan told The Associated Press in an email interview. Every day Im flooded with messages from Indians all over the world telling me they are supporting me. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Bucks Jersey . Michell Burger, a woman who lives on an estate next to Pistorius gated community, said she and her husband were awoken by the screams in the pre-dawn hours of Feb. 14 last year, when Pistorius killed Reeva Steenkamp by shooting four times through a door in his bathroom.CONCORD, N.C. -- Of the 12 drivers remaining in NASCARs playoffs, the odds makers have ranked Austin Dillon last in the championship race.Very few expected him to make it out of the first round. Only he did make the cut, and now Dillon intends to creep even further into the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.I like this role, Dillon said of being a longshot, `because it puts the pressure on the guys that I guess are projected to make it to the next round -- whatever projections mean.This is Dillons debut in the Chase and he went into last weekends elimination race at Dover in danger of being bounced from the field. But he stepped up with a strong eighth-place finish -- his first top-10 in six weeks -- and advanced into the round of 12.Hell start 19th on Saturday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the opening race of the second round of the Chase. Rain from Hurricane Matthew washed out all track activity on Friday, but Dillon, like most teams, used Thursday to prepare for the race.We had a good car in practice. We just missed our balance a little bit in qualifying, Dillon said. Well be fine. Im really happy with our Chevrolet.Although his results have been mediocre -- Dillon was 14th at Chicago in the Chase opener, then 16th at New Hampshire -- he did what he had to do at Dover while the drivers ahead of him in the standings struggled.Jamie McMurray and Kyle Larson didnt make the round of 12, and Dillon capitalized with his Richard Childress Racing team. He has no doubt it can happen again in the second round, which includes Charlotte, Kansas and Talladega Superspeedway.ddddddddddddYou just never know what can happen in a race and you never know what the outcome will be, he said. There is so much that goes into every little piece and part of these cars. Im confident in the company I drive for with RCR and the people around me, myself also, that we can make strong finishes and that is what Im confident about. I love the underdog role because that means when we do knock people out, its going to be fulfilling.Dillon could surprise some at Charlotte, where he finished seventh in this race a year ago. The RCR organization is also accustomed to working the system of the Chase to its benefit.Ryan Newman two years ago advanced into the championship race through points racing instead of chasing wins. Dillon understands theres a strategy that can be followed for success in the Chase. Everyone wants to get through Charlotte and Kansas next week in solid shape to not have their fate decided at Talladega.As the only RCR driver in the Chase, hes got the organization behind him.I had multiple guys come up to me in the shop this week telling me how proud they were and proud to be a part of RCR, Dillon said. You saw what Ryan Newman was able to do a couple of years ago and go to Homestead. (Newman crew chief) Luke Lambert came up to me and said, `Man, you guys are built for this just like we made our run. I hope we can back it up and keep ourselves relevant. ' ' '