Ramirez won’t talk to reporters until his suspension is over

Ramirez tells reporters to wait

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Manny Ramirez says he won’t do any interviews until his suspension ends.

“I ain’t talking today, baby,” he told reporters. “Write what you want.”

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 the 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.”

Ramirez was in the clubhouse before batting practice when a group of reporters approached him at his corner locker. He stepped past them and said in Spanish to wait until July 3.

That’s when Ramirez is expected to rejoin the Dodgers for a game at San Diego.

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.

Isotopes infielder Blake DeWitt, who has shuttled between the Dodgers and Albuquerque this season, said Ramirez can be a positive influence in the minor league clubhouse.

“He knows how to get ready,” he said. “The guy’s done this a long time. He’s had a ton of success. … I’m sure he’s going to be trying to see a lot of pitches, get his timing down.”

Wallach said he spoke with Ramirez and offered to do whatever the slugger needs to prepare for his return to the majors. He also said they didn’t bother to go over the signs.

“I told him he’s got the green light, not to worry about the signs,” Wallach said, laughing. “I won’t be bunting or hitting-and-running with him. If he wants to run, he can run.”