Manny Ramirez seeks reinstatement by MLB

DALLAS, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Major League Baseball says Manny Ramirez applied for reinstatement with the goal of catching on with a new team as the Winter Meetings get under way in Dallas.

Ramirez had announced his retirement in April following a 100-game suspension for failing a second drug test, but has since changed agents and now wants to mount a comeback, the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times said Monday.

The newspaper said the reinstatement, if granted, would be made under a negotiated deal that reduced the suspension to 50 games.

Ramirez's star faded dramatically after high-profile stints in Boston and Los Angeles. His last Major League team was the Tampa Bay Rays where went 1-for-17 in five games before being suspended.

The Times said the Rays indicated they were not interested in another go-around with the 39-year-old slugger.