Via the LA Times:

Manny Ramirez has tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and will be suspended 50 games starting today, The Times has learned.

(12:39 UPDATE: Manny’s statement below.)

Manny didn’t test positive for steroids according to his agent, Scott Boras. So far, the story is that Manny went to a doctor in Miami who prescribed him something (for personal use), which triggered the positive test. Gammons: “Manny was absolutely devastated by this.”

* The suspension will cost him $7.7 million, per Sportscenter.
* He’s eligible to be back July 3.
* As someone noted in the comments: Here were Jose Canseco’s comments on Manny a month ago. Not a direct hit, but he’ll probably get credit anyway.
* As noted by a reader: The comments over at ESPN are quite humorous. The story’s barely 30 minutes old and it has nearly 700 comments. [Unreal: Nearly 2,200 comments already. Story broke around 11:45-ish.]
* Baseball prospectus says the failed test happened during spring training, and the doctor prescribed the drug to him in January.
* So far, it doesn’t appear as if Manny will appeal the suspension. Things that make you go hmmmm?

* Statement from Manny, via Sportscenter: “Recently I saw a physician for a personal health issue. He gave me a medication, not a steroid, which he thought was OK to give me. Unfortunately, the medication was banned under our drug policy. Under the policy that mistake is now my responsibility. I have been advised not to say anything more for now. I do want to say one thing; I’ve taken and passed about 15 drug tests over the past five seasons. I want to apologize to Mr. McCourt, Mrs. McCourt, Mr. Torre, my teammates, the Dodger organization, and to the Dodger fans. LA is a special place to me and I know everybody is disappointed. So am I. I’m sorry about this whole situation.”