HCG is one of dozens of substances prohibited under baseball's policy. Players can call a hotline to check the legality of any substance and can get a therapeutic-use exemption for any legitimate medical use of a banned substance.
An appeal hearing was scheduled for Wednesday -- baseball's top lawyer, Rob Manfred, flew from New York to Los Angeles the previous day -- but sources said Ramirez dropped the appeal on the advice of his agent, Scott Boras.
Ramirez noted in the statement that he had passed "around 15" drug tests over the last five years. He also issued a widespread apology.
"L.A. is a special place to me and I know everybody is disappointed," he said. "So am I. I'm sorry about this whole situation."
Torre described Ramirez's remorse as sincere.
"The thing that was toughest for Manny is how he disappointed everyone," Torre said.
Colletti said the Dodgers would stand behind Ramirez and applauded the way he handled the matter.
"Whenever somebody makes a mistake and they accept responsibility . . . are contrite, it's a plus," Colletti said. "And that's what Manny did today. Had he dismissed it or acted like it was somebody else's fault, I'd really have a tough time with it. But that he takes ownership of what transpired speaks to the man . . . that's not bad . . . that's part of being human."
Torre and Colletti said they didn't learn of the situation until owner Frank McCourt called them after midnight the previous night. Asked by The Times after Wednesday night's game whether they had heard that Ramirez was about to be suspended, Torre and Colletti denied knowing anything.
A source close to Ramirez said Ramirez's agent had informed Torre of the matter before Wednesday's game, a claim the manager denied. Ramirez was taken out of the lopsided game in the seventh inning and wasn't in the locker room when reporters came in.
Until Torre and Colletti addressed reporters at the 4:30 p.m. news conference, the Dodgers limited their comments on the matter to a short statement by McCourt's wife that was e-mailed to reporters.
At 3:10 p.m., a sign was posted on the door of the Dodgers' clubhouse that read, "Clubhouse closed."
Inside, the Dodgers held a team meeting.
"It was somber," right fielder Andre Ethier said.
Players said they were surprised to learn that Ramirez had flunked a drug test -- to a certain extent.
"It's to the point where nothing shocks you," Doug Mientkiewicz said.
