Manny Seeks Reinstatement After Ban from Winter Ball

Manny Ramirez will not be allowed to play winter ball over in the Dominican Republic this offseason.

The reason? Mr. Cheaterpants never did serve a suspension, nor did he contest his positive drug test earlier this year. And with Major League Baseball's agreement with the Dominican League, they have all the power to stop him.

This according to a person speaking anonymously since the news hasn't been announced publicly: The Cibao Eagles, a Dominican winter league team Ramirez played with in 1993-94, claimed this week he was expected to start training with the club soon. However, MLB and the Players Association have decided he's ineligible.

Ramirez said when he was busted back in April while with the Tampa Bay Rays that he'd rather retire than face a 100-game suspension for a second positive drug test. He served his 50-game ban in 2009 after a positive test for human chorionic gonadotropin, a banned female fertility drug which cheaters like Manny often use to help mask steroid use.

Upon learning the news that MLB will block him from playing winter ball, Manny told ESPNdeportes.com that he will formally request reinstatement. Of course, when he does return to the game, he will need to serve that 100-game suspension (once he signs with a team) before he picks up a baseball bat. He had this to say Thursday:

"I would comply with my pending sanction and I would be available for any major league team. I already informed [my agent] Scott Boras of my decision to return and begin the process. If any team wants to sign me, I would play. If no one does, I would look to play in Japan or any other place. I was not prepared for retirement."

Meanwhile, the troubled outfielder/designated hitter is facing criminal prosecution in Florida on charges that he slapped his wife during a recent argument. Sounds like returning to baseball should be the lowest of his priorities at this point.

[ESPN]