Jhonny Peralta checked into spring training camp with the St. Louis Cardinals four days ahead of the mandatory reporting date.

Peralta was suspended for 50 games last season while with Detroit Tigers because of his involvement with the Biogenesis drug scandal.

"I know a lot of fans, they are going to talk," Peralta said. "They are going to say a lot of things. It's baseball. You need to forget about it and try to play baseball."

He became a free agent after the season and signed a four-year contract with the Cardinals worth $53 million.