Manny Ramirez Retires After Testing Positive

Manny Ramirez retired from baseball Friday instead of facing a suspension of 100 games for testing positive for performance enhancing drug, according to two people knowledgeable about the issue.

Ramirez tested positive for performance enhancing drug during spring training and was recently informed of the positive result, different people.

In a news release, the commissioner's office said he had recently notified Ramirez "an issue under the Prevention of Major League Baseball joint drug and treatment program."

The statement added: "Rather than continue the process under the Program, Ramirez told MLB he retires as an active player. "

The commissioner's office said that if Ramirez wanted to return to baseball, he would face discipline for his positive test.

The test is positive in spring training was the third time Ramirez tested positive for a performance enhancing drug.

In 2009, he was suspended after his urine sample from spring training with high levels of testosterone. The New York Times later reported in 2009 that Ramirez was among the 100 players who tested positive for a performance enhancing drug in 2003, when testing was conducted on an anonymous survey.

Ramirez has played 66 games for the Dodgers in Los Angeles in 2010 and 24 games for the White Sox, reaching 0298 with 9 homers and 42 RBIs in 90 games.

He signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Rays in January and is 1 for 17 in five games this season.

The Rays said in a statement: "We are obviously surprised and disappointed by this news. We have no further comment on that, and our fans and the organization will continue."