Unwilling to face another drug ban, Manny Ramirez is leaving baseball and is at peace with his decision while the sport confronts the specter of steroids again.
“I’m at ease,” Ramirez told ESPNdeportes.com by phone from his home in Miami. “God knows what’s best (for me). I’m now an officially retired baseball player. I’ll be going away on a trip to Spain with my old man.”
One of the game’s great sluggers, Ramirez tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance and wasted little time in saying he was done with the game.
He retired Friday rather than face a 100-game suspension for a second violation of Major League Baseball’s drug policy. The 12-time All-Star served a 50-game ban in 2009 while with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Second-time offenders get double that penalty.
A person familiar with the situation confirmed to The Associated Press that Ramirez tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the nature of Ramirez’s issue with MLB’s drug policy was not publicly disclosed.
The commissioner’s office announced its decision in a statement, providing few details and saying it would have no further comment.
SHORT HOPS
Rockies manager Jim Tracy said he was “extremely encouraged” by how Ubaldo Jimenez responded to a Friday long-toss session, and the right-hander will throw a bullpen session today as he aims to come off the DL after a cuticle cut in his right thumb. ... Milwaukee right-hander Zack Greinke threw a second bullpen session in his latest step to return from a cracked rib. ... Baltimore optioned right-hander Brad Bergesen to Triple-A Norfolk and selected the contract of pitcher Chris Jakubauskas – a former Seattle Mariner – who could start today against Texas. ... One day after Pittsburgh’s Ross Ohlendorf removed himself from a start in the third inning, he was placed on the 15-day DL with a strained shoulder, the same injury that landed him on the 60-day DL late last season. ... The Yankees signed right-hander Carlos Silva to a minor league contract, bringing in another option for their suspect rotation. ... Twins right-hander Kevin Slowey was placed on the 15-day DL with bursitis in his throwing shoulder.
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