New York Yankees' third baseman, Alex Rodriguez, is the cover story for this week's issue of Sports Illustrated. In the issue, Sports Illustrated recounts what it calls "the last days of Alex Rodriguez," following another alleged drug-related scandal that could effectively end his baseball career.

Last January, Florida-based publication Miami New Times obtained what appeared to be Anthony Bosch's records, suggesting that the founder of Biogenesis of America had been supplying performance enhancing drugs to at least 20 major league baseball players, including A-Rod. This, in turn, initiated the Major League Baseball's probe on the players identified in the article.

Rodriguez was reported to have declined to answer MBL's inquiry regarding the matter, and along with other identified players, publicly denied receiving drugs from the now defunct Biogenesis.

In an interview with ESPN 98.7 Michael Kay Radio Show, David Cornwell, A-Rod's lawyer, said that he was focused on making an appeal to whatever the Major League Baseball's ruling may be.

But, it appeared that the MLB is trying to get rid of Rodriguez by suspending him for violating terms under the collective bargaining agreement instead of its drug rules, as he had never been disciplined for any previous drug offence. This would allow MLB to eliminate any chance of delaying any penalty until after the case goes to an arbitrator.

The New York Daily News reported that MLB commissioner Bud Selig is set to pursue what would be a historic suspension that would ban A-Rod from returning to the field should he fail to agree to a deal, thus ending his baseball career.

A-Rod was placed on a disabled list after undergoing surgery on his left hip around the same time news broke out of his drug scandal and has remained so until now. Rodriguez was reportedly pushing to be activated, but the Yankees refused to do so. He suffered another injury in his quadriceps, furthering delaying his comeback.

MLB was reportedly expected to announce all Biogenesis-related suspensions within the week.