In light of the latest performance-enhancing drug talk in Major League Baseball, ESPN analyst Skip Bayless decided to take a shot at New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, who at 38 is leading the major leagues with 169 hits.

It didn't take Jeter long to respond to Bayless' comments, which insinuated the five-time World Series champion and 13-time All-Star is using performance- enhancing drugs.

"What do you want me to say? I ain't getting involved with this, man," Jeter told reporters. "You can say whatever you want to say now. There's no repercussions. ... That's the unfortunate thing, you know what I'm saying? Whenever you have people that anytime you bring something like this to light with guys that are doing things, it's like, now you have everybody questioning everything. That's the unfortunate thing. Maybe Skip should be tested."

Speaking on ESPN's First Take on Wednesday morning, Bayless made the following comments:

"I would have to be sight- and hearing-impaired not to at least wonder, because there is no HGH test in the sport of baseball. They do not blood test; they do it one time in spring training for HGH, not again the rest of the year. How could I not wonder, 'Is he using something?' If you're Derek Jeter, would you think about using HGH right now? Because I would. How would you not?" "I am shocked by what I'm seeing from DJ right now. They all said he was washed up. All of a sudden, this man has turned 38 years of age in June and already he has more hits than he had last year. ... I'm seeing a whole new guy this year from last year . . . Are you kidding me? You would have to have your head in the sand or your head somewhere else not to at least wonder, 'How is he doing this?' "

After Jeter's pointed response, Bayless backtracked -- sort of -- on Thursday's edition of the show:

I want to point out again and repeat what I said yesterday I have absolutely no knowledge that Derek Jeter has even thought about using any PED including HGH. I'm not accusing, I'm not insinuating. But as I told you yesterday I must admit publicly I have wondered about even the great Derek Jeter's bounce back season at 38 because I wonder about every baseball player's big bounce back season. See Melky Cabrera. See Bartolo Colon. I just wonder ... about the sport of baseball ... If I'm an aging former baseball star, 38 years of age, would I think about using HGH ... yeah, I would. I would think about it.

Jeter is having another MVP-caliber season. He hit another home run Wednesday night in a loss to the White Sox, bringing his total to 13. He had six last year. He is third in the AL in batting average (.324).

Is his solid play really worthy of accusing him of cheating? It isn't the first time Jeter has been called a cheater. In 2010, Jeter pretended to be hit by a pitch and it caused a national debate.