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Rodriguez dismisses claims of steroid use

New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez refused to address allegations by retired slugger Jose Canseco, who claims he introduced the three-time MVP to a steroids dealer.

On Wednesday after his Yankees lost 4-0 to the Philadelphia Phillies in a preseason game, Rodriguez said: "It's over as far as I'm concerned. No further comment on the matter. I'm just excited to be playing baseball."

In the book Vindicated: Big Names, Big Liars, and the Battle to Save Baseball, Canseco claimed he introduced Rodriguez to a steroids dealer named "Max." Excerpts from the book, slated for publication next Tuesday, were posted on deadspin.com before being removed on Wednesday.

Canseco wrote that Rodriguez approached him years ago and asked where "one" might acquire steroids. During an interview to be broadcast on Thursday by ABC's Nightline, Canseco said he won't produce evidence to back his claim.

"The timing's not right," Canseco said, according to excerpts released by ABC. "Let's see how Alex reacts. Let's see if they all call me a liar again. How's that for you? Let's see if all of a sudden they're going to call me a liar again."

During the ABC interview, Canseco refused to identify "Max."

"We'll keep him out of it until the time is proper," Canseco said.

Yankees officials aren't concerned about a potential distraction.

"Alex is one of the guys who can focus on the job at hand," New York manager Joe Girardi said. "Everything he does is going to be under a microscope. Is that fair? I don't know if it's fair, but it's reality."

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman talked briefly with Rodriguez.

"He's fine," Cashman said. "This is something that isn't an issue for him. I've got a lot of other things to be worried about more than Alex Rodriguez, to be honest."

Rodriguez has had a strong spring training, hitting .432 (16-for-37) with three homers and eight RBIs.

"I'm in a great frame of mind," he said. "I just plan to continue exactly what I was doing last year."
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