Minor league fans cheer on Manny

ALBUQUERQUE — Shortly after arriving in Albuquerque, Manny Ramirez vowed that he wouldn't do interviews until his suspension ends.

"I ain't talking today, baby," he declared. "Write what you want."

Manny being Manny, that lasted about an hour.

After going through stretching, warmups, batting practice and shagging flies in the outfield, Ramirez returned to a cramped corner of the Albuquerque Isotopes clubhouse and held court.

One of the first questions was about whether he used steroids.

"I'm not talking about it anymore," he said. "I already said what I'm going to say. I'm here to do my rehab, you know, and (go) to the game and get a couple at-bats and get back to the big-league team."

The Los Angeles Dodgers slugger is in Albuquerque to get into playing shape as he prepares to return from a 50-game suspension for violating baseball's drug rules.

He was listed as leadoff hitter and playing left field Tuesday night for the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate. Albuquerque Isotopes manager Tim Wallach said Ramirez will play four innings on Tuesday, five on Wednesday and seven on Thursday.

"It's more to get him on the field, to get him some innings out in left field, physically get him moving around," Wallach said. "The at-bats are important as well, just to see live pitching."

It wasn't certain if Ramirez will see the series finale on Friday.

"I'm sure they'll let me know on that soon," Wallach said.

Ramirez is expected to rejoin the Dodgers on July 3 at San Diego. He shrugged off questions about his public image, coming after several Albuquerque fans said Monday they disapprove of his drug use but were still excited to see him play.

"People love me everywhere I go," Ramirez said. "I'm excited to bring a lot of joy to a lot of people here. I feel good. I'm happy that I'm here."

Ramirez, who flew into Albuquerque aboard a Southwest Airlines commercial flight, took the field for warmups wearing a red Isotopes hat under his dreadlocks. He wore a white sports garment and white pants.

He said his plan was to work back into playing shape. Asked if he was close, he replied: "Not really close. I haven't played like in 50 days, but I'm going to catch up slowly, day by day."