Yankees Turn Down Meeting with A-Rod

NEW YORK (AP) — Two people familiar with the talks tell The Associated Press that Major League Baseball and the New York Yankees have turned down requests to meet with Alex Rodriguez's camp and the union about the embattled star's expected drug penalty.

The overtures were made Saturday, two days before MLB was poised to hand Rodriguez a lengthy suspension for his part in the Biogenesis case.

The people, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because no public statements were authorized, say Rodriguez's side reached out to the Yankees and that union head Michael Weiner contacted MLB Executive Vice President Rob Manfred.

The Yankees and MLB said they had no interest in such talks. There was always the chance, however, that further negotiations could take place at the last minute.

The New York Times first reported the discussions.