Ryan Zimmerman cleared by MLB of PED accusations in documentary

An investigation by Major League Baseball into the allegations against Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman found no violations of the league’s joint prevention and drug treatment program, the league announced Friday.

Allegations that Zimmerman had used performance-enhancing drugs surfaced in an Al Jazeera America documentary title, “The Dark Side.” They were made by Charlie Sly, a former Indianapolis anti-aging institute worker. Sly said Zimmerman was one of his clients for performance-enhancing drugs, specifically, Delta-2, before recanting his statements in a YouTube video just prior to the “The Dark Side” airing.

Zimmerman denied the accusation — saying he never met Sly — then filed suit, he explained, as backing to his words. According to court documents, Zimmerman’s lawyers also claim that Al Jazeera America was informed in writing prior to airing the broadcast that Sly’s statements were false.

Sly also named Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard in the film. The statement from the league exonerated both:

“The Office of the Commissioner has completed its investigation into the statements made by Charlie Sly concerning players Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies and Ryan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals in the Al Jazeera documentary “The Dark Side.” This thorough investigation did not find any violations of the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program by either Howard or Zimmerman.

“Both Howard and Zimmerman fully cooperated with the Office of the Commissioner’s investigation. Mr. Sly did not agree to speak with the Commissioner’s Office or provide requested information.”

Zimmerman filed a defamation suit Jan. 5 in Washington District Court against Al Jazeera America, Liam Collins and Al Jazeera reporter Deborah Davies. The suit has lurched along in the court system for more than eight months with only exchanges of paperwork, but no rulings from judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. That could change soon. A motion hearing is set for Sept. 13. Zimmerman is trying to prove defamation. The defense argues that he is not able to prove “malice.”

Zimmerman has vociferously denied the accusation since the documentary aired. In an expansive 20-minute interview with reporters in spring training, Zimmerman said he has never used PEDs, never met Sly, and has filed the difficult-to-win defamation suit to prove those points.

“I understand why Major League Baseball found it necessary to explore this matter, and I appreciate that MLB, after a thorough investigation, was able to publicly affirm my innocence,” Zimmerman said in a statement. “Throughout my life and career, I have been true to myself, my family, the Nationals organization and my community. It is not right that a so-called news organization and its personnel can publicly make false accusations that damage my reputation and call into question my integrity without any consequences whatsoever. As I said in January when I filed my lawsuit, I am determined to hold Al Jazeera and its reporters accountable for their defamatory actions.”