Jake Arrieta says it's "flattering" that some in the game are questioning whether he has used performance-enhancing drugs to achieve his status among the elite pitchers.

"It's somewhat flattering, especially when some of those comments are coming from some of the best players in the game," said Arrieta, the reigning National League Cy Young winner.

Arrieta wouldn't name names but said his teammates have told him other players have wondered whether he is cheating the system. Arrieta is 4-0 with a 0.87 ERA this season.

"I think it's funny," he said. "I've always been in good shape. I just sucked early in my career from a statistical perspective. My body has always been very similar to how it is now. The results are different, so people want to question things. That's the nature of sports."