Manny Ramirez might not be ready to play for
OAKLAND, Calif. Willie Roaf Jersey. -- Manny Ramirez might not be ready to play for the Oakland Athletics by May 30 when his suspension ends. Manager Bob Melvin says the As want to make sure Ramirez is fully prepared and comfortable with his swing before he plays in major league games following his stint with Triple-A Sacramento. Melvin still hopes that could be on time. Ramirez was held out of Sundays game with the River Cats because of a wrist injury that Melvin called "a little setback." "We want to get him close to 40 at-bats and, whether or not we get there in 10 days, I dont know," Melvin said before Wednesdays series finale against the Los Angeles Angels. "Were not locked into the 30th. We want to make sure hes productive, hes feeling good about his swing, hes getting his hits -- all of those things you want to see when, potentially, he gets here. Im not sure on the 30th, and its going to be a progression each and every day. We certainly hope thats the case." Ramirez turns 40 on May 30, the day he could come back in Minnesota. His 100-game suspension for a second positive drug test was cut to 50 games after he retired for most of last year rather than serve the penalty. If Ramirez doesnt play in the series finale against the Twins on his birthday, Oakland then heads to Kansas City for a three game series June 1-3. His first potential home game could be June 4 against the two-time defending AL champion Texas Rangers. The dreadlocked designated hitter is a .312 hitter with 555 homers and 1,831 RBIs. The 12-time All-Star faced a 50-game suspension for a second positive drug test. This will be his 20th major league season. The As signed Ramirez to a minor league contract on Feb. 20 that would be worth approximately $500,000 if hes added to the big league roster. Ramirez ranks 14th on the career list with 555 home runs. Ramirez went 1 for 17 (.059) in five games last season for Tampa Bay. This spring, Ramirez vowed to be ready to make a comeback with the As. Patrick Robinson Jersey. Daniel Agger hit a penalty shot in the 31st and Andreas Bjelland scored the second from a corner in the 66th. The Danes dominated the first half. Thomas Morstead Jersey.J. Raji have been fined US$5,000 each by the NFL for actions in last Sundays loss to Minnesota. http://www.nflnikeneworleanssaints.com/jonathan-vilma-jerseys. -- Jerry Sandusky professed his innocence and vowed to continue fighting his child molestation conviction in a recorded statement broadcast on the eve of his sentencing Tuesday, a possible preview of remarks he was expected to make at the hearing. Drew Brees Youth Jersey. -- The Tampa Bay Rays made Felix Hernandezs perfect game look even more impressive by roughing up the Los Angeles Angels during an impressive four-game series sweep. Zach Strief Jersey. - Ryan Cook thought about the assembled stars and wondered whether he belonged.LAUSANNE, Switzerland -- The newly merged softball and baseball federation will meet senior IOC officials on Wednesday to push their joint bid to regain Olympic status. The new body, called the International Confederation of Softball and Baseball, is seeking a spot on the program for the 2020 Games. International Softball Federation President Don Porter says the meeting will help prepare a presentation to the IOCs program commission on Decc. Cameron Jordan Jersey 18-19. Riccardo Fraccari, president of the baseball federation, says further talks are planned with Major League Baseball about releasing players for the Olympics. The IOC will vote next September to add one sport. Karate, roller sports, squash, sport climbing, wakeboard and wushu also are competing. Baseball and softball, voted off the Olympic program in 2005, were last played at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. ' ' '
