Manny Ramirez: Troubled Slugger Will Make A's Debut on May 30

Manny Ramirez's 50-game ban from the MLB has almost run its course, and the enigmatic slugger is on schedule to return to the field, as a member of the Oakland A's, on May 30th. 

Jane Lee, Oakland A's beat reporter for MLB.com, tweeted out the info:

"

Release says Manny "is scheduled to play his first game with the A’s May 30 in Minnesota."

— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) May 15, 2012"

Ramirez was initially suspended for 100 games after his second positive test for performance enhancers. That came in 2011 when he was a member of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. At that point, Ramirez decided to retire. The suspension was then cut in half when he decided to return to baseball. 

It will be interesting to see what one of the best hitters of his generation brings to the surprising A's. The problem is that Ramirez's generation is not this generation. Coincidentally, he turns 40 on the day he is scheduled to return to the field. 

It is not just his age that is a concern, either. Ramirez will have to shake off some serious rust. He appeared in just five games last season.

To help combat the rust, he has been in the A's extended spring training camp since the beginning of the season. 

Very little was expected of the A's this season, but here they are at 19-17, just four games back of the division-leading Texas Rangers. 

If Ramirez proves to have anything left in the tank, he will be a big boost to this lineup. The A's are 21st in runs scored, 28th in slugging percentage and 30th in batting average.