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Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers' Manny Ramirez suspended 50 games after failing drug test — The suspension, for using what a source says is a female fertility drug, begins tonight and will cost him $7.7 million. Ramirez takes responsibility but says a doctor prescribed the drug.
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ESPN.com:
Manny Ramirez of Los Angeles Dodgers will serve 50-game suspension for drug violation — Major League Baseball announced Thursday that Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez has been suspended for 50 games for violating its drug policy. — Ramirez — The commissioner's office …
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Yahoo! Sports:
Source: Ramirez's substance a sexual enhancer — Buzz up! — LOS ANGELES - A source close to Manny Ramirez — said Thursday that the illegal substance for which the Los Angeles Dodgers slugger tested positive was not “an agent customarily used for performance enhancing.”
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Manny is latest star to fall under drug cloud; banned 50 games — Major League Baseball, battling to woo fans in a recession, now must overcome the perception the sport remains polluted with players using illegal performance-enhancing drugs. — Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez became …
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Manny suspended for use of PEDs — Ramirez biggest name to be punished by MLB's drug policy — LOS ANGELES — Major League Baseball suspended Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez for 50 games on Thursday for use of performance enhancing drugs. — Major League Baseball made an official announcement shortly after noon ET.
Tom Verducci / Sports Illustrated:
Manny reportedly used HCG, gets 50-game ban … Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance, incurring an immediate 50-game suspension and serving as the highest-profile reminder yet that the use of such drugs in the testing era may have been reduced, but not eradicated.
MLB:
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez plays in what could be final rehab game — TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez played what could be his final rehab game Thursday, going 0-for-2 with two walks and putting in three innings of defense.
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Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Game 28: Rays at Yankees (updates with A-Rod news: He'll be back tomorrow) — YANKEES (13-14) — Pitching: LHP Andy Pettitte (2-1, 3.82). — Notes: I'm off today in advance of the road trip. Thanks to Ernie Palladino for calling in the lineup. ... The Yankees, who have lost four straight …
Associated Press:
Mets jump Moyer, Phillies early to get two-game sweep — NEW YORK (AP) — Carlos Beltran and David Wright each hit a two-run homer in the first inning, and the New York Mets beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-5 on Thursday night for their fourth consecutive victory.
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Frank Fitzpatrick / Philly.com:Former Phillies manager Danny Ozark dies
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Phillies Nation
Tyler Bassett / KTAR.com:
Bob Melvin to be replaced as Diamondbacks manager — The Arizona Diamondbacks had high expectations for this season and have under-performed, leading to the team making a change at the managerial position. — Sports 620 KTAR's John Gambadoro reports Bob Melvin will be out as manager …
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Rare Collapse by Rivera Sends Yankees to Fifth Straight Loss — When the greatest savior in franchise history crumbled at the end a dismal homestand on Thursday, it was the nadir of the Yankees' rocky season. At least, that is how it would seem. Things can only improve — can't they? …
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Keona Gardner / TCPalm.com:
Mets player Angel Pagan arrested for traffic violations in Martin County — MARTIN COUNTY — New York Mets baseball player Angel Pagan has been arrested for traffic violations, according to Florida Highway Patrol arrest report. — On Thursday troopers stopped Pagan, 27 …
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
D-backs recall Whitesell from Triple-A — Clark placed on disabled list with strained ligament in hand — SAN DIEGO — The D-backs have a new starting first baseman. — The team recalled Josh Whitesell from Triple-A Reno on Wednesday and manager Bob Melvin said the 27-year-old will play every day in the foreseeable future.
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Sizing up A-Rod's ‘historic’ contract — Clause in deal that'll pay slugger total of $30M for HR milestones now up for debate — As fireworks, book reviews and favorite cousins explode all around him, here's our latest question about Alex Rodriguez: — Is he still someone we can look at as a “historic” player?
