"We were obviously surprised when we found out about it today and hurt by what transpired," said Rays vice president Andrew Friedman, who signed Ramirez to a $2 million, one-year contract in the offseason. "We were cautiously optimistic that he would be able to be a force for us."

Had Ramirez accepted his suspension, he would have become the first player to be suspended twice for a performance-enhancing drug violation since the program went into effect in 2005. The only previous player to be punished twice for any type of drug-related violation was infielder Neifi Perez, who served two suspensions in 2007 for positive amphetamine tests.

In 2009, sources told ESPN.com, after Ramirez was informed of his first violation of the PED act, he initiated an appeal but then dropped it and accepted his suspension. After he was informed of this violation, he notified the commissioner's office that rather than appeal or serve another suspension, he was simply announcing his retirement.

By retiring, he avoided having MLB formally announce that he'd violated the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Instead, MLB issued a release stating only that it had informed Ramirez of "an issue" under that program, and he had chosen to retire.

"Major League Baseball recently notified Manny Ramirez of an issue under Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program," the statement said. "Ramirez has informed MLB that he is retiring as an active player. If Ramirez seeks reinstatement in the future, the process under the Drug Program will be completed."

MLB said it would have no further comment.

The 38-year-old outfielder-designated hitter with 555 career home runs left the Rays earlier this week to attend to what the team called a family matter. Manager Joe Maddon said Thursday he expected Ramirez to be available for Friday night's game against the White Sox in Chicago, but he never showed up.

"Of course you're disappointed," Maddon said before the Rays rallied to a 9-7 victory over the White Sox, their first win in seven games this season. "But at the end of the day, he has to make up his own mind. It's a choice he has to make."

Ramirez played in five games for the Rays, with one hit in 17 at-bats, and flied out as a pinch hitter Wednesday. He had a strong spring training, then was excused from the last exhibition game for personal reasons.

"It's unfortunate," said Tampa Bay outfielder Johnny Damon, who helped the Boston Red Sox end an 86-year title drought by winning the 2004 World Series, in which Ramirez was the MVP.

"I don't know everything that's been brought up. All I know is he's a great teammate and a great player," Damon said, when asked specifically about the PED allegations. "It's going to be sad not seeing Manny Ramirez ever around a baseball field."

A schoolboy legend on the streets of New York, Ramirez was selected 13th overall by the Cleveland Indians in the 1991 amateur draft and rose quickly through the minor leagues, with a youthful exuberance and natural charisma that endeared him to just about everyone he met.

He broke into the majors in 1993 and played his first full season the following year, when he finished second to the Kansas City Royals' Bob Hamlin in voting for rookie of the year. He went on to establish himself as one of the game's most feared hitters, adopting a dreadlock hairdo that seemed to mirror his happy-go-lucky demeanor -- both on the field and off.