Major League Baseball has rejected Manny Ramirez's bid to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic. Rob Manfred, Major League Baseball's executive vice president of labor relations, said Ramirez can't play because he's on the inactive list, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.
Ramirez abruptly retired in April after violating Major League Baseball's drug policy for the second time, meaning he is facing a 100-game suspension.
"Manny Ramirez cannot play for a major or minor league club or any affiliated organization, including a winter league team, without getting the consent of the commissioner,'' Manfred said, according to Crasnick.
After learning of MLB's ruling, Ramirez told ESPNdeportes.com's Enrique Rojas he plans to formally request reinstatement to the major leagues.
"I would comply with my pending sanction and I would be available for any major league team," Ramirez told Rojas via telephone from Miami. "I already informed (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."
Ramirez, 39, had hoped to play for the Aguilas Cibaenas, his former Dominican League team. The outfielder hit 555 homers and had a .312 average during a 19-year big-league career. He was 17 at-bats into his stint as a DH with the Rays when he retired.
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