Alex Rodriguez released a statement Thursday addressing the doping scandal he is involved in, saying he believed his rights guaranteed by his contract have been defied.

The highest paid athlete in baseball, who hasn't been playing because of hip surgery performed in January, is currently in Tampa, Fla. trying to get back into shape. He took time to defend himself against claims that he took performance enhancement drugs.  

"Myself and others are being mentioned in a media report before the process is even concluded," he said. "I would hope this thing would follow the guidelines of our Basic Agreement. I will monitor the situation and comment when appropriate."

He added that he is working out every day to get in shape and back on the field to help the Yankees win a championship.

"I am down here doing my job and working hard and will continue to do so until I'm back playing," he said.

Rodriguez's statement is in reference to a Wednesday report by ESPN that the Major League Baseball will suspend him and around 19 more players in the next few weeks because of speculation that they took performance-enhancing drugs. The drugs came from Biogenesis of America, an anti-aging clinic in Florida that is no longer in business.

Milwaukee Brewers' player Ryan Braun is also one of the players that the league is planning to ban for 100 games, the report stated. Braun, however, did not desire to comment on the incident.

"I've already addressed everything related to the Miami situation," Braun said, quoted by USA Today on Wednesday. "I addressed it in spring training. I will not make any further statements about it. The truth has not changed. I don't know the specifics of the story that came out today, but I've already addressed it, I've already commented on it, and I'll say nothing further about it."

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