HCG not found in Manny Ramirez drug test  —  Anti-doping experts say the absence of the drug indicated that the Dodgers outfielder used steroids.  —  No trace of the medicine HCG was found in Manny Ramirez's system at the time of his drug test, three sources with specific knowledge of the results have told The Times.

Ramirez has short meeting with team  —  Dodgers see suspended Ramirez at team hotel in Miami  —  MIAMI — Suspended outfielder Manny Ramirez held a brief meeting with manager Joe Torre, Dodgers teammates and coaching staff at the club's hotel Friday afternoon.

Yankee Stadium's Ugly Start  —  Cheap Home Runs, Empty Seats and Lopsided Losses Have Some Asking, ‘Can a Stadium Fail?’  —  Printer  —  Friendly  —  The new Yankee Stadium  —  For more than 80 years, Yankee Stadium was the most revered sports venue on the planet.

Ortiz hits a new low by going 0 for 7 in defeat  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. - David Ortiz faced his locker and dressed slowly, putting on designer jeans and a blue shirt with a French collar as reporters gathered behind him.  He turned around and saw them.  His head dropped a little.

Delgado, Putz out; Jose sits  —  SAN FRANCISCO - Carlos Delgado and J.J. Putz could be headed for surgeries, although both hope to play the rest of the season before even considering procedures.  —  Meanwhile, the shorthanded Mets also played without Jose Reyes Thursday night because of right calf pain, which prompted an MRI.

Mets to lean on Sheffield  —  New York (19-15) at San Francisco (18-16), 10:15 p.m. ET  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The havoc that Carlos Delgado's hip injury has wreaked on the Mets now has manager Jerry Manuel scheming.  Knowing that Delgado's absence allows opposing pitchers to take something …

Coghlan, fan reach hard bargain  —  MILWAUKEE - In spite of a fan's efforts to shake down the Marlins for merchandise in exchange for Chris Coghlan's first home run ball, Coghlan ultimately took possession of it after Wednesday's game.  —  Nick Yohanek, aka “The Happy Youngster,” …

Milton up, McDonald down, Weaver out  —  The Dodgers have purchased the minor-league contract of Eric Milton, who will start Saturday's game in place of Jeff Weaver.  James McDonald and his 6.75 ERA have been sent to Albuquerque.  After being sent to the bullpen, McDonald allowed one earned run in five appearances (4 1/3 innings).

Phillies paying visit to White House  —  Club set to celebrate championship with president Friday  —  PHILADELPHIA — The time is finally here for the Phillies to meet the president.  —  Before Philadelphia opens a four-game series Friday night against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park …

MLB Outsider Mock Draft: Atlanta Braves Select Donavan Tate  —  MLB Outsider is hosting a 2009 MLB mock draft, where bloggers from all over come together in an attempt to project the draft results that will take place June 9.  —  Braves Journal's Mac Thomason picks for the Atlanta Braves at No. 7.

Cal Ripken Jr. seeks answers from Alex Rodriguez regarding admitted drug use  —  Cal Ripken Jr., the Hall of Fame shortstop who played in an MLB-record 2,632 straight games for the Baltimore Orioles, wonders what Alex Rodriguez's motives were for using performance-enhancing drugs and plans …

Good Seats Available, Lots of 'Em  —  Nats' Drop-Off at Gate Worst in Baseball by Far  —  It was only fitting, in a season in which every large or small factor that could depress attendance at Nationals Park has come to pass, that the meatiest part of Ryan Zimmerman's galvanizing hitting streak …