More information is beginning to come out following Manny Ramirez's shocking retirement from baseball Friday afternoon after "an issue" with MLB's drug program. According to both the New York Post's Joel Sherman and Michael Schmidt at the New York Times, Manny tested positive in spring training and was only recently made aware of it.
Ramirez tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug during spring training and was recently informed of the positive result, according to the people.
In a news release, the commissioner's office said it had recently notified Ramirez "of an issue under Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program."
Assuming that's accurate, Manny would have faced a 100-game suspension. Rather than face that, the 38-year old opted to just retire.
Ramriez signed with the Tampa Bay Rays as a free agent in the offseason but was just 1-for-17 while appearing in five games this season. The Rays have called up Casey Kotchman to fill his spot on the roster.