Manny Ramirez Suspended for 50 Games

From the LA Times:

Manny Ramirez has tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and will be suspended 50 games starting today, The Times has learned.

The test result and suspension is expected to be announced later today. The Dodgers informed triple-A outfielder Xavier Paul this morning that he was being promoted to Los Angeles.

This is going to be a huge blow to those teams counting on Ramirez, especially in NL-only leagues. The Dodgers are likely to use Juan Pierre as a starter now. Pierre is not the player he once was but he should still provide a safe batting average and a few dozen steals playing regularly.

Xavier Paul is an interesting prospect. He has mid-teens power and steals bases at a nice clip. He's probably good enough to start for the Pirates or another team with a weak outfield. I feel I know Joe Torre well enough to predict that Pierre will get the bulk of the available playing time over an inexperienced kid.