Ramirez under pressure to face teammates

LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles Dodgers officials are eager for disgraced slugger Manny Ramirez to speak to his teammates about his failed drug test, with next weekend a likely opportunity when the Dodgers are in Miami.

Ramirez, 36, has kept a low profile since Major League Baseball suspended him on Thursday for 50 games after he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

Although the power-hitting outfielder has been in contact with Dodgers officials over the last three days, manager Joe Torre was keen for the dreadlocked Ramirez to face up to the team once he was ready.