Dodgers Outfielder Manny Ramirez Suspended for Drug Use.Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez has been suspended for 50 games after violating a drug policy, Major League Baseball announced Thursday.
In a statement released through the Major League Baseball Players Association, Ramirez, 36, said he did not take steroids but waived his right to challenge the suspension, which involves Section 8.G.2 of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
The suspension will begin immediately.
"Recently I saw a physician for a personal health issue," Ramirez's statement read. "He gave me a medication, not a steroid, which he thought was okay to give me. Unfortunately, the medication was banned under our drug policy. Under the policy that mistake is now my responsibility. I have been advised not to say anything more for now.
"I do want to say one other thing; I've taken and passed about 15 drug tests over the past five seasons," Ramirez's statement continued.
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MLB commissioner's office did not immediately disclose specifics of the violation by Ramirez, who will lose roughly one-third of his $25 million salary this year, or $7.7 million.
Ramirez, a 12-time All-Star who is widely considered to be a sure-fire Hall of Fame selection, also apologized to the Dodgers' owners and fans, as well as manager Joe Torre.
"LA is a special place to me and I know everybody is disappointed," Ramirez's statement continued. "So am I. I'm sorry about this whole situation."
Click here to see players suspended for MLB drug policy violations since 2005.
The hulking right-handed outfielder with 533 career home runs will not be eligible to return to the team until July 3, according to The Associated Press. He signed a two-year, $45 million contract with the Dodgers in March.
The suspension follows Alex Rodriguez's acknowledgement in February that he used steroids from 2001 to 2003.
Calls to Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras, were not immediately returned Thursday.
Major League Baseball's drug policy requires a 50-game suspension for a player's first positive drug test, a 100-game suspension for a second and a lifetime ban for a third. The suspensions are without pay.
Ramirez is the third player suspended this year under MLB's drug testing program.
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