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Rangers give Manny a shot

 
Published July 4, 2013

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Rangers agreed Wednesday to a minor-league deal with Manny Ramirez, who hasn't played in the majors since 2011 with the Rays.

GM Jon Daniels said part of the deal is Ramirez, twice suspended for testing positive for banned drugs, agreed to cut his dreadlocks to "comply with our minor-league rules on appearance and discipline."

Ramirez, 41, will report today to Triple A, where he will be a DH. He played for three months in Taiwan before leaving June 20.

"It's kind of a no-risk flier," said Daniels, adding there is no time frame for Ramirez to be called up. "We like giving guys second chances. We know on and off the field the good and bad in Manny's career."

Ramirez, unavailable for comment, was suspended 50 games in 2009 while with the Dodgers after testing positive for a banned drug. He retired in April 2011 while with the Rays instead of serving a 100-game ban for a second positive test. He later agreed to a reduced 50-game suspension and played in the minors for Oakland in 2012. A lifetime .312 hitter, Ramirez is 14th all time with 555 homers.

More Rangers: RHP Alexi Ogando, out since June 9 with right shoulder inflammation, will make a rehab start Saturday at Triple A.

Bailey celebrates only a little

CINCINNATI — Reds RHP Homer Bailey didn't have much time Tuesday night to cele­brate his second career no-hitter. He had to get up early to tend to his horses.

A day after allowing one walk in a 3-0 victory against the Giants, Bailey called his family and answered about 200 text messages from former teammates and current and former major-leaguers. One came from Roger Clemens. Clemens, a special instructor in Houston's system, said he would show his young pitchers a video of Bailey's performance.

"He said, 'Your mechanics and direction were good,' " said Bailey, whose next start is Sunday against Seattle. "I said, 'Go ahead. (The Astros aren't) in our division anymore.' "

Puig hurt: Dodgers RF Yasiel Puig left Wednesday's game against the Cardinals with a bruised left hip in the sixth, an inning after running into the wall to make a catch. The team said he is day-to-day.

Brewers: The team said RHP Wily Peralta is "iffy" to make his next start after leaving in the sixth inning Tuesday against the Nationals with a strained left hamstring.

Diamondbacks: INF Willie Bloomquist went on the DL with a bruised left hand after being hit by a pitch June 26.

Indians: CF Michael Bourn was activated from the paternity list. He left the team after Sunday's game.

Orioles: INF/DH Danny Valencia was sent to Triple A to make room for recently acquired RHP Scott Feldman.

White Sox: DH Paul Konerko (strained lower back) and RH reliever Jesse Crain (strained right shoulder) went on the DL. Manager Robin Ventura said he expects both to return shortly after the All-Star break.

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Yankees: Alex Rodriguez grounded out twice and turned a double play on his only chance at third as he played three innings in his second game with Class A Charleston. Rodriguez is recovering from left hip surgery in January. … INF Jayson Nix went on the DL with a strained right hamstring, and INF Luis Cruz was signed. The Dodgers released Cruz last week after he hit .127 in 118 at-bats.