Is Manny guilty?

Test shows no HCG in system

Report: Test didn't show HCG in Manny's systemby FOXSports.com

With Manny out for the next 50 games, Juan Pierre becomes a viable fantasy option, Roger Rotter says.
No trace of the medicine HCG was found, three sources told the Los Angeles Times. It was a prescription for the drug that led to the outfielder's suspension last week under Major League Baseball's drug policy.

One of the sources with knowledge of the test results confirmed to the paper that the drug test revealed a synthetic testosterone level more than four times that of the average male. Sources also said the suspension would have happened only if the report showed a banned substance. Anti-doping experts said the absence of HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), coupled with the league's action, indicated Ramirez used steroids.

The paper said baseball officials had begun the disciplinary process for a positive drug test when they obtained his medical records that contained a prescription for HCG. That led to a suspension for just cause because Ramirez had not sought a "therapeutic use" exemption.

Once MLB had the prescription, Ramirez dropped the appeal and was suspended.

At the time his suspension was announced, Ramirez said in a statement that his doctor, "gave me a medication, not a steroid, which he thought was OK to give me."

Attempts to reach Ramirez were unsuccessful, and the paper said the Dodgers referred all questions to MLB.

Dr. Glenn Braunstein, an expert in reproductive endocrinology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said HCG elevates testosterone production but typically not to the level that apparently turned up in Ramirez's test results.