Manny can't play, can he?
That mainstay of the news biz, a Person Familiar with the Situation, told the Associated Press that Manny Ramirez will not be allowed to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic. Both Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association say the slugger is ineligible after he said he would retire in April rather than serve a 100-game suspension or contest it following a positive drug test.
The winter-league Cibao Eagles were expecting Ramirez to start training with them this week.
Ramirez, who now says he does not want to retire, told ESPNdeportes.com that he will formally request MLB reinstatement and serve his suspension, which he can't do unless he signs with a major-league club.
"I already informed [my agent] Scott Boras of my decision to return and begin the process," Ramirez said. "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."
So close to a select club
The Chicago Cubs' Starlin Castro got his 198th and 199th career hits in a 7-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday but then was walked twice and grounded out to leave him stalled short of a big mark.
The 21-year-old shortstop is in line to join some elite company as just the fifth major-league player since 1940 to collect at least 200 hits at 21 or younger, says the Elias Sports Bureau. The four that came before are Alex Rodriguez (in 1995), Garry Templeton (1977), Vada Pinson (1959), and Al Kaline (1955).
In his final at-bat, Castro had a 3-0 count, but didn't get the green light to swing from manager Mike Quade because the Cubs were so far ahead.
"The game is not even close," Castro said. "If [I] swing at that pitch and miss, the other pitch [might be] in my back."
He's got six more games to get No. 200, with his next chance coming Friday in St. Louis against the Cardinals.
Contact staff writer Michael Harrington at mharrington@phillynews.com.
This article contains information from Inquirer wire services.
