Intro:

Alex Rodriguez reports to Yankees following season long suspension

Script:

Alex Rodriguez reported to the New York Yankees on Monday following a season-long suspension.

He arrived at the team's minor league complex in Tampa, Florida, three days ahead of schedule,

Suspended for violations of baseball's drug agreement and labour contract, Rodriguez apologised to team officials during a meeting on February 10 and to fans in a statement last week.

Rodriguez, who turns 40 in July, has not played a full season since 2007 due to his suspension and because of operations to both hips.

He admitted in 2009 that he used performance-enhancing drugs from 2001-03 while with Texas.

Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig suspended Rodriguez for 211 games in August 2013.

The suspension cost Rodriguez $22.13 million of his $25 million salary last year.

However, he is still owed $61 million for the final three seasons of his $275 million, 10-year contract.