Baseball notebook: David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez tested positive for drugs, says report

NEW YORK — Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz became the latest star implicated in baseball's ever-growing drug scandal, acknowledging Thursday that the players' union confirmed he tested positive in 2003.

Ortiz responded to a story on The New York Times' Web site that he and former teammate Manny Ramirez tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs six years ago.

"Based on the way I lived my life I'm surprised to learn I tested positive," Ortiz said in a statement.

The popular "Big Papi" said he intended to find out what was in his system and would tell the Red Sox and the public.

"You know me — I will not hide and I will not make excuses," he said.

Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa are among the many All-Stars tainted by the cloud of steroids and drugs.

Ortiz and Ramirez led the Red Sox to the World Series title in 2004 — their first in 86 years — and another championship in 2007.

Ramirez, now with the Dodgers, recently served a 50-game suspension for violating baseball's drug policy. Asked about this second alleged doping violation, he told reporters in St. Louis: "You want more information, I'm pretty sure you guys got the phone number to the union. Call the union, and they can explain that to you guys."

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said the news "blindsided everybody," including Ortiz.

In 2003, 104 major leaguers tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs; the results were supposed to be anonymous and are now under court seal.

The Times' story cited lawyers involved in pending litigation over testing results who spoke anonymously because the information is under seal. The newspaper did not say what the players tested positive for.

"Can somebody in baseball — we're all begging, people — get that stupid list out and move on," Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "This is ridiculous; this is embarrassing; this is a joke. Whoever is there is there, get them out, and that's it."

As for Ortiz, "too bad for him, too bad for baseball. Too bad for both," New York Yankees star Derek Jeter said.

"I'm sad for everyone. Once again, we're sitting here talking about this again."

There were no penalties for a positive test in 2003 — the anonymous tests were conducted to determine if it was necessary to impose mandatory random drug testing across the major leagues in 2004. But federal agents seized the results as part of the BALCO investigation. The union has argued the search was illegal, and the case is currently before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

In the meantime, the names on the list keep coming out one by one.

In June, the Times reported Sosa also was on the 2003 list, and Rodriguez admitted using performance-enhancing drugs after he was linked to the 2003 list earlier this year.

Asked about this latest report involving Ortiz, Rodriguez said, "Well, he's my friend, and I care for David."

"I have nothing else to say about that," the Yankees star said. "No, I'm not talking about it."

Major League Baseball declined to comment on the Times' report, telling The Associated Press it didn't have the list of players who tested positive in 2003. Red Sox owner John Henry did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment.

Dodgers acquire Sherrill

BALTIMORE — Adding a big arm to their bullpen, the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers acquired former All-Star closer George Sherrill from the Baltimore Orioles for two minor leaguers.

Sherrill, a former Mariner, has 20 saves for last-place Baltimore. He gives Los Angeles a left-handed complement to All-Star closer Jonathan Broxton. Sherrill is expected to join the Dodgers today in Atlanta.

An AL All-Star last season, the 32-year-old Sherrill is 0-1 with a 2.40 ERA. He has limited opponents to a .219 batting average in 2009.

Notes

• The Cubs traded RHPs Kevin Hart and Jose Ascanio and minor-league infielder Josh Harrison to Pittsburgh for reliever John Grabow and LHP Tom Gorzelanny. The key player for the Cubs was Grabow, a top situational lefty. The 26-year-old Hart was traded minutes after pitching Chicago to a 12-3 victory over Houston. He is 3-1 with a 2.60 ERA.

• Kansas City acquired OF Josh Anderson from Detroit for cash. Anderson, 26, is a career .283 hitter with three homers and 39 RBIs with Houston, Atlanta and Detroit.

• Arizona RHP Brandon Webb has had another setback with his ailing right shoulder, raising the possibility the Diamondbacks ace may need surgery. The 2006 NL Cy Young Award winner has not pitched since opening day.

• Detroit reliever Joel Zumaya will have season-ending shoulder surgery in August. The hard-throwing 24-year-old has had shoulder problems since an offseason injury in late 2007.

• Houston ace Roy Oswalt will rejoin the Astros in St. Louis today and be evaluated to see if he can make his scheduled start Sunday. Oswalt left Tuesday's game with back pain.

• Mets general manager Omar Minaya apologized to a beat reporter for questioning his motives and credibility during a bizarre news conference. The writer, Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News, accepted and said the GM's "remorse was sincere."