MLB is planning to sue individuals connected to a South Florida clinic tied to performance-enhancing drugs. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Major league baseball is frustrated by an overall lack of progress in its investigation of a South Florida anti-aging clinic connected to performance-enhancing drugs, and is planning to file suit against some of the individuals tied to the clinic.

The New York Times’ Michael Schmidt reported late Thursday MLB is planning the suit, which will allege the individuals connected to the clinic, Biogenesis of America, damaged baseball by providing top players access to performance-enhancing drugs.

From Schmidt’s report:

The suit will seek to recoup money from its targets — including the clinic’s owner and a person who worked for two prominent baseball agents — and baseball officials also hope it will produce cooperation with their investigation into the clinic’s activities. [...]

[B]aseball is trying a new tactic. A lawsuit, if allowed to proceed, would give the sport the ability to subpoena records from the clinic, which is now closed, and compel depositions. Some of the information uncovered could then conceivably be used by baseball to justify disciplinary actions against players.

The Miami New Times reported in January that a number of big names — including Ryan Braun, Alex Rodriguez, Gio Gonzalez and others — were tied to the clinic. But because these players and others have yet to fail MLB-sponsored drug tests, MLB investigators need “documentary evidence or witness testimony” to make a case against them, Schmidt reported.

The extent of the suit wasn’t immediately clear, but Schmidt reported it will include Anthony Bosch, who ran the clinic.

Washington Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez has accepted an invitation to pitch for the United States in March’s World Baseball Classic, USA Baseball announced via Twitter on Saturday.

The 27-year-old, a Hialeah, Fla., native of Cuban descent, will boost a rotation that also features the Blue Jays’ R.A. Dickey, the Braves’ Kris Medlen and the Giants’ Ryan Vogelsong.

Gonzalez enjoyed a breakout season after being traded to Washington a year ago, winning a league-high 21 games and posting a 2.89 ERA. He was among the players linked by the Miami New Times to the South Florida clinic that reportedly supplied players with performance-enhancing drugs, which MLB is currently investigating.

BREAKING: @Nationals SP Gio Gonzalez has accepted invitation to play for #TeamUSA in the @WBCBaseball. Welcome
@GioGonzalez47.—
  (@USABaseball) February 09, 2013

The addition of Gonzalez adds star power to a team and a tournament currently lacking it, just one day after Mariners superstar Felix Hernandez withdrew from Team Venezuela.

Nationals’ starter Stephen Strasburg will be held out of postseason play after he is shut down when he reaches his “innings limit,” MLB.com’s William Ladson reported on Twitter Sunday.

I was informed that #Nats RHP Stephen Starsburg will not partisipate in the postseason once he is shut down. #MLB

— William Ladson (@washingnats) August 12, 2012

The Nationals had already made their decision in July to shut down Strasburg after he reaches a specific number of innings pitched. Washington sits atop the National League East — four games ahead of the Atlanta Braves — and much of that has been due to the consistency of Strasburg in his first full season in the majors.

Strasburg is 13-5 with a 2.90 ERA in 23 games. He has 166 strikeouts and just 38 walks. He pitched six innings in a 9-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, bringing his season total to 133 1/3 innings.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Friday that the plan is to shut down Strasburg sometime in September. Rizzo denied reports that the limit was set for 180 innings.

The Nationals have an MLB-leading team ERA of 3.22 this season. Washington will rely on the foursome of Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann, Edwin Jackson and Ross Detwiler during the playoffs.

Gio Gonzalez’s extension with the Washington Nationals is worth $42 million over the first five years of the deal, according to Enrique Rojas of ESPN Desportes. With the two club options, Gonzalez could earn as much as $65 million.

Gio Gonzalez signs 5 years $42 million dollars extension with #Nats. 2 years option will elevate contract to $65 million. #ESPN

—
Enrique Rojas/ESPN (@Enrique_Rojas1) January 15, 2012

The Nationals acquired Gonzalez via trade from the Oakland Athletics for prospects A.J. Cole, Derek Norris, Brad Peacock, and Tom Milone.

Gonzalez, 26, has collected 15-or-more wins in two consecutive seasons with the Athletics while posting an ERA of 3.23 or lower each season. The young hurler was one of the most desired trade pieces in baseball this winter. He is expected to sit atop the Nationals rotation alongside Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann.

According to a tweet from Keith Law of ESPN.com the Washington Nationals have acquired left-handed starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez.

Gio to Nats for Cole, Norris, Peacock, and Milone. Love this for Oakland.

—
  (@keithlaw) December 22, 2011

Gonzalez, 26, has collected 15-or-more wins in two consecutive seasons with the Athletics while posting an ERA of 3.23 or lower each season. The young hurler was one of the most desired trade pieces in baseball this winter. 

In return for Gonzalez the Nationals will reportedly give up A.J. Cole, Derek Norris, Brad Peacock, and Tom Milone, according to Law. 

Cole and Peacock have been listed by many experts as the Nationals top two pitching prospects. Norris has, in the past, been named as Washington’s top hitting prospect. However a combination of injuries and the acquisition of Bryce Harper and Wilson Ramos has made him less important to the team’s future.

Peacock and Milone represent Washington’s two most major league ready starting pitching prospects. 

Update: The Nationals Have Reportedly Acquired Gio Gonzalez For Four Prospects

The Boston Red Sox, who have been for relatively quiet for their standards this winter, are reportedly trying to land a “monster” deal for Gio Gonzalez and Andrew Bailey according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

Sources: #RedSox trying to get G. Gonzalez, Bailey in "monster" deal. #Rangers, #Rays also on Bailey. #Nationals team to beat on Gio. #MLB

—
Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 22, 2011

The Red Sox have emerged today as one of the main suitors for Gonzalez. It was believed this morning that the Red Sox, Washington Nationals, Seattle Mariners, Miami Marlins, and New York Yankees were all interested in the young starter’s services, however multiple reports indicate that the Nationals and the Red Sox are now the two most likely destinations for Gonzalez.

Gonzalez, 26, has collected 15-or-more wins in two consecutive seasons with the Athletics while posting an ERA of 3.23 or lower each season. The left-handed hurler is currently one of the hottest commodities on the trade heap, as he is presently under team control for the next four seasons.

Bailey, 27, has served as the Athletics closer over the past three seasons. In 2011 he posted a 3.24 ERA with 24 saves in 42 appearances. He boasts a career ERA of 2.07.

The Washington Nationals are reportedly pressing hard for Oakland Athletics left-handed starter Gio Gonzalez, according to FOXSports.com.

Gonzalez, 26, has been targeted by various teams around the league and is potentially the most-desired pitcher on the market. Gonzalez remains under club control for the next four seasons, and his acquisition would not be easy. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com tweeted that the Nationals were considering sending four players to the A’s for Gonzalez.

The report states that Washington has been in the market for a lefty starter to complement their established right-handed duo of Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmerman.

The Miami Marlins reportedly reached out to the Oakland Athletics to discuss a potential trade for starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez,  The Miami Herald reports. Talks for the for the starter reportedly fell apart, however, when the Athletics demanded either Logan Morrison or Mike Stanton in return for the left-handed starter.

Gonzalez, 26, has quietly been one of the better starters in the American League over the past two seasons. In 2011 he posted a 16-12 record with a 3.12 ERA in 32 starts for Oakland, while striking out 197 batters in 202 innings pitched. In 2010 he was equally effective, posting a 15-9 record with a 3.23 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 200.2 innings pitched.

Morrison, 24, and Stanton, 22, are considered to be major parts of the Marlins future outfield. In 2011 Stanton led the Marlins in home runs (34) and RBIs (87) despite battling injuries for much of the season. Morrison finished second on the team in home runs (23) and also contributed 72 RBIs in 123 games played.

The Marlins have been very active this offseason, and have been rumored to have held talks with Jose Reyes, Roy Oswalt, Albert Pujols, and C.J. Wilson.