MLB Biogenesis scandal: Jhonny Peralta releases statement, accepts his suspension

Jhonny Peralta released a statement through the Tigers' public relations department this afternoon accepting his suspension for involvement with the Biogenesis scandal.

"In spring of 2012, I made a terrible mistake that I deeply regret. I apologize to everyone that I have hurt as a result of my mistake, including my teammates, the Tigers’ organization, the great fans in Detroit, Major League Baseball, and my family. I take full responsibility for my actions, have no excuses for my lapse in judgment and I accept my suspension. I love my fans, my teammates and this organization and my greatest punishment is knowing that I have let so many good people down. I promise to do everything possible to try and earn back the respect that I have lost."

The Tigers released a response to Peralta's statement.

"We recognize the suspension of Jhonny Peralta for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program as a measure taken in the best interest of the game," the statement read. "The Detroit Tigers continue to fully support Major League Baseball's policy and its efforts to eliminate performance enhancing drugs from our game. Per the protocol outlined by Major League Baseball's collective bargaining agreement, the Tigers' organization will provide no further comment on Peralta's suspension."

Peralta's statement indicates that he knowingly took performance enhancing drugs, contradicting his earlier statement that he had never used PEDs.