A-Rod's lawyer: 'We are focused on appeal' to likely suspension

Alex Rodriguez's lawyer said they are prepared to fight any suspension. (Getty Images) New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez's lawyer said Monday that he and

Alex Rodriguez's lawyer said they are prepared to fight any suspension. (Getty Images)

New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez's lawyer said Monday that he and Rodriguez were focused on fighting any possible suspension of Rodriguez through the appeals process.

"We are focused on an appeal," Rodriguez's lawyer, David Cornwell, said in an interview Monday with Stephen A. Smith on "The Michael Kay Show" on ESPN New York 98.7.

Major league baseball is preparing to levy suspensions in the Biogenesis clinic case this week, which includes a possible suspension of Rodriguez through next season.

According to a report in the New York Daily News, Rodriguez could face a lifetime ban from baseball if he does not agree to an MLB-brokered deal. The Daily News reported that baseball is “armed with voluminous evidence they believe would warrant lifetime banishment.” A source close to Rodriguez told the paper, however, that he is “sticking to his story” and will not accept a deal.

Cornwell confirmed that stance publicly on Monday. Rodriguez, however, did not speak with reporters while in Tampa Bay rehabbing a quad injury.

Cornwell said that Rodriguez was focused on working his way back into the Yankees lineup.

"Alex's primary focus right now is playing baseball," Cornwell said. "It has been nearly a year since he played. He has gone through his operation. There is no amount of rehab games or simulated games that is going to give him the feel of a live blitz at a major league baseball level. That is where Alex's primary focus is right now."