Report: A-Rod cancels meeting with MLB because of illness

Alex Rodriguez's case is expected to resume Monday. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images) Embattled New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who was scheduled to

Alex Rodriguez's case is expected to resume Monday. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Embattled New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who was scheduled to meet with Major League Baseball on Friday, has canceled the planned meeting with the league because of an unspecified illness.

The New York Daily News reported that Rodriguez abruptly nixed the meeting on Thursday night, telling MLB officials that he was in California and too ill to travel to New York. Rodriguez had been scheduled to meet with representatives from the league ahead of testifying in his arbitration hearing, which was set to resume on Monday.

MLB has a right to interview Rodriguez before his testimony, according to a provision in the league's collective bargaining agreement. That interview won't be under oath, but according to the Daily News, he could see more punishment handed down if MLB determines he lied in the interview.

Rodriguez was suspended for 211 games by MLB on Aug. 5 for alleged violations of the sport's performance-enhancing drug policy. The MLB Players' Association filed a grievance to overturn the penalty. As of now, there's no indication that the case, being heard by arbitrator Fredric Horowitz, would be pushed back from resuming on Monday — even with the complications from Rodriguez's illness postponing his pre-hearing interview with officials.

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