Posted by Matt Sisson on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 10:48 am

According to the LA Times, Manny Ramirez has tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and will be suspended 50 games starting today. The suspension makes Manny the biggest start to be suspended for a positive drug test so far. The results of the drug test and the announcement of the suspension will be announced later today. The Dodgers informed triple-A outfielder Xavier Paul this morning that he was being promoted to Los Angeles to fill the roster spot left vacant by Ramirez.

From the LA Times:

Ramirez is expected to attribute the test results to medication received from a doctor for a personal medical issue, according to a source familiar with matter but not authorized to speak publicly.

With the suspension taking effect with tonight’s game at Dodger Stadium, Ramirez will not be eligible to return to the team until July 3.

Ramirez would become the biggest star suspended under an oft-criticized major league testing program that started in 2003. He had been a model citizen since arriving in Los Angeles last August, following a stormy tenure with the Boston Red Sox.

Welcome back Juan Pierre. With all of the obvious news created by a story like this, one has to think who else will be affected? I predict struggling former team mate and friend David Ortiz will be the subject of a lot of talk and the finger pointing. Guilty by association or wrong place, wrong time?

Manny had this to say about his positive test,

“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,” Ramirez said. “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 other thing; I’ve taken and passed about 15 drug tests over the past five seasons. I want to apologize to [Dodgers owner Frank] McCourt, Mrs. McCourt, [manager Joe] 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.”

Best part of that quote: ” I have been advised not to say anything more for now. I do want to say one other thing…”