Manny Ramirez (back) is expected to return to the Athletics' lineup on Saturday.

Ramirez was scratched from Wednesday's lineup due to back stiffness, but was scheduled to participate in a simulated game Thursday. Returning Friday isn't an option because the Rockies don't plan to use the DH at their complex. The 39-year-old is 0-for-5 with a strikeout during Cactus League action.

Manny Ramirez was scratched from Wednesday's lineup due to back stiffness.

Ramirez still took batting practice, so it doesn't sound like a major issue. The 39-year-old is 0-for-5 with one strikeout so far during Cactus League play.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin anticipates Manny Ramirez playing every other day in spring training.

"He needs some consistent at-bats early on so we can get an early read," Melvin said. Oakland will have to decide whether to exercise a $306,000 prorated salary on Ramirez when he becomes eligible to return from a 50-game suspension. Ramirez's contract is non-guaranteed and he can be released at any time.

Manny Ramirez will serve as the designated hitter in the Athletics' Cactus League opener Friday against the Mariners.

Let the fun begin. Ramirez will sit out the first 50 games of the season as he serves a suspension for his second positive PED test, but he is permitted to play during the exhibition schedule.

Manny Ramirez will arrive at A's camp on Friday.

Ramirez signed a minor league contract with Oakland on Monday that carries a $306,000 prorated major leauge salary. He's allowed to be a full participant in spring training and can play in Cactus League games, but he'll have to sit out the first 50 dates on the Athletics' regular-season schedule due to last year's failed PED test.

Peter Gammons of MLB Network reports that Manny Ramirez's deal with the Athletics includes a $306,000 in prorated salary.

Ramirez officially signed a minor-league contract with Oakland on Monday. He'll be paid a $500,000 prorated salary for time spent in the majors, but since he still has to serve a 50-game suspension, $306,000 will be his maximum base salary. This is about as low-risk as you can get, as the contract is non-guaranteed and Ramirez can be released at any time.

Athletics signed DH Manny Ramirez to a minor league contract.

Ramirez will earn a salary of $500,000 if he eventually lands a spot on Oakland's 25-man roster and is able to maintain it. The 39-year-old still has to serve a 50-game PED suspension and seems doubtful to take on anything more than a part-time DH role once he is finally cleared to play. He can be left undrafted in all fantasy leagues.

The Athletics recently traveled to Florida to hold a workout session with Manny Ramirez.

Jane Lee of MLB.com expects Oakland to sign Ramirez as soon as next week, and confirms that the Athletics' recent signing of Yoenis Cespedes will not factor into their decision. According to the Associated Press, if the two sides reach an agreement, Ramirez would earn slightly more than the league minimum of $480,000.

Janie McCauley of the Associated Press reports that the Athletics are still pursuing Manny Ramirez.

Not surprising, as Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported earlier this week that the A's were "likely" to sign him. McCauley hears a deal could happen as soon as the next few days or sometime next week. Ramirez will almost certainly get a minor league deal. The 39-year-old would be permitted to participate in spring training games, but will have to sit out the first 50 games of the regular season due to a second positive PED test.

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Athletics are likely to sign Manny Ramirez just before or soon after the start of spring training.

The Orioles and Blue Jays were once considered possibilities, but now Oakland is now the most logical landing spot. The 39-year-old would be allowed to suit up for the A's during spring training, but he'll have to serve a 50-game suspension for his second positive PED test before being permitted to play during the regular season. Look for him to get a minor-league deal.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Athletics are still interested in Manny Ramirez even after the signing of Yoenis Cespedes.

The A's would like Manny to be their designated hitter, but they're focused on adding a reliever first. Ramirez, of course, will have to sit out the first 50 games of the season due to a positive PED test, but he's probably worth a shot on a minor league deal. The A's will likely be hoping he can put together a good stretch prior the trade deadline before they barter him to a contender.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Athletics remain the favorites to sign Manny Ramirez but are focused on adding a reliever first.

The A's have spoken to the Rangers about a trade for Koji Uehara. Rosenthal also has some details about what Manny will be allowed to do while serving his 50-game suspension for a positive PED test. He'll be eligible to play in spring training games and after the season starts can work out with either major- or minor-league clubs, but he must leave the park by the time the gates open. He can also play in extended spring training games. Ramirez will almost surely only require a modest minor league deal that will contain incentives.

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said Friday that he doesn't think Manny Ramirez is a fit.

Duquette has played the situation pretty coy until now and the O's even sent scouts to watch Ramirez take batting practice, but he appears content to move forward with his current roster. All signs are pointing toward Oakland as Ramirez's most likely landing spot, though they also have interest in Magglio Ordonez.

Athletics' general manager Billy Beane confirmed Friday that he would like to sign a "middle-of-the-lineup" designated hitter.

This is the most specific Beane has been on the matter, but he would not address the team's interest in either Manny Ramirez or Magglio Ordonez. We suspect they'll eventually add one of them, though Ramirez wouldn't be able to help during the first two months of the season as he serves his 50-game PED suspension.

Buster Olney of ESPN.com reports that the Athletics watched Manny Ramirez work out last week and are interested in signing him.

Olney says the A's will make a decision on whether to sign him sometime over the next week. Manny, now 39, will surely be rusty, and he'll have to serve a 50-game PED suspension at the beginning of the season, but the A's need all the help they can get on offense right now. The Blue Jays and Orioles have also expressed interest in him.

Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reports that while the Orioles maintain interest in Manny Ramirez, there are plenty of issues that must be rectified before the club considers offering him a contract.

Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com reported Friday afternoon that Ramirez was deciding whether to pursue a contract with the Blue Jays, Orioles or Athletics, but it doesn't sound like he's very far along in the process with Baltimore. "Manny is looking for a second chance," said Orioles' executive vice president Dan Duquette." I think it is a good story, but that's about all I can say about it right now." Ramirez, 39, would almost certainly have to accept a minor-league deal in order to continue his career. While he would need to serve a 50-game PED suspension before being able to play during the regular season, he would be able to suit up during spring training.

According to Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com, Manny Ramirez is deciding whether to pursue a contract with the Blue Jays, Orioles or Athletics.

None of the three teams have made formal offers to Ramirez, but Rojas was told by a source that Oakland is willing to give him the best opportunity at playing time. Once he makes a decision on where he would prefer to play, negotiations are expected to begin. It's doubtful he'll get anything more than a minor-league deal, though performance-based incentives could obviously vary. Ramirez, who turns 40 in May, will have to serve a 50-game PED suspension before being permitted to play during the regular season.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Orioles and A's are "most interested" in Manny Ramirez.

Others could join the fray if Ramirez impresses in his upcoming workout for major league teams. The 39-year-old slugger posted an .870 OPS with nine home runs and 42 RBI across 320 plate appearances in 2010 before sitting out for almost the entire 2011 campaign. He will have to serve a 50-game PED suspension before being allowed to play in a regular season game this year.

A's assistant general manager David Forst said the club is still open to signing Manny Ramirez.

A's managing partner Lew Wolff first suggested the idea last week. "We're open to it," Forst said. "We do have other things going on and we do expect other additions between now and Opening Day. We have never been in a situation where we had too many good players." Ramirez is planning to hold a workout for MLB teams soon. He needs to serve a 50-game PED suspension, however, before he will be allowed to play in a regular season game. Man-Ram will turn 40 in May.

MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm considers Toronto ''not a serious contender'' to land Manny Ramirez this offseason.

Toronto wasn't interested in Manny last offseason and it seems even less likely they would become involved in any talks this year. Chisholm believes that Edwin Encarnacion is the preferred pick for the organization over a player who would be missed for almost a third of the year and has declining skills at the plate.