A newly unsealed court document in the ongoing federal defamation lawsuit brought by Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and retired Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard against Al Jazeera America and parent Al Jazeera Media Network raises questions about whether the two ballplayers used prohibited performance-enhancing substances.

In a memorandum dated Jan. 28, attorneys for the media company asserted they are in possession of “sealed evidence” that “includes an invoice showing that, in autumn 2014, Howard paid for needles and an [MLB-banned] substance called human chronic gonadotrophin.” The memorandum also referred to “email exchanges between Zimmerman and Charlie Sly, the PES dealer who unwittingly revealed that Zimmerman used performance-enhancing substances banned by MLB.”

The 36-year-old Zimmerman, who signed a one-year, $1 million contract to return to the Nationals after sitting out the 2020 season due to COVID-19 related family concerns, and the 41-year-old Howard, a former National League MVP who last suited up in 2016, sued Al Jazeera America in Jan. 2016 for libel and false light.

Zimmerman signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Nationals on Friday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The 36-year-old opted out of the 2020 campaign but will continue his career with Washington in 2021. Zimmerman appeared in 52 games during 2019 and had a .257/.321/.415 slash line with six home runs and 27 RBI in 190 plate appearances. Josh Bell is poised to handle the bulk of the reps at first base, while Zimmerman serves as the reserve option and potentially works as the designated hitter, if the National League adopts the position again this season.