Manny: Dodger days numbered

Manny Ramirez is known for saying some curious things. This is his latest pronouncement: The Dodgers star insists his days in LA are numbered.

"I know I'm not going to be here next year," Ramirez said Monday.

Ramirez's contract expires after this season. Why is he so certain he won't get an extension?

"I don't know," he said. "I just know I'm not going to be here."

At 37, Ramirez is heading into his 17th major-league season. The former World Series MVP served a 50-game drug suspension last year and, for him, was hardly a force - .290, 19 home runs, 63 RBIs.

Ramirez threw out the possibility that he could retire after 2010.

"What I can do is to just wait and at the end of the season I can say to myself if I want to do this, if I want to play," Ramirez said. "That's where I'm at. I think I have to wait until the season ends and see where my family's at and make a choice."

Asked if he can see a scenario where Ramirez might be pursued in the offseason, General Manager Ned Colletti wasn't in the mood to look into the future.

"I'm worried about this season, that's where my focus is," Colletti said. "If that is accurate (that Ramirez won't return to the Dodgers) and he still wants to play after this year, I hope that he's the premier free agent on the market. That would mean he had a great year for the Dodgers."

Aaron applauds McGwire's apology

KISSIMMEE - Former career home run king Henry Aaron says Mark McGwire should have a clear conscience after his recent admission he used performance-enhancing drugs as a player.

Aaron said other players still harboring similar secrets also should come clean.

"I think baseball is cleaning up its act a little bit, I really do," Aaron said Monday during a visit to Atlanta Braves camp. "I've said this and I'll say it again, over and over again, this is the most forgiving country in the world. If you come through and tell the truth, then you're going to be forgiven."

Aaron said McGwire's admission and apology this year was overdue but still welcome.

"I would have loved to have seen him do it a long time ago, but since he did it, I think that he himself will tell you right now he's able to sleep at night and he's able to look at his teammates," Aaron said. "He's done everything that he can do."

McGwire, who hit a then-single-season record 70 homers in 1998, admitted this year he used steroids and human growth hormone as a player. He is beginning his first season as the Cardinals' hitting coach.

"It's nice to have him back," Aaron said.

RANGERS: Utility infielder Khalil Greene will not be joining the team because of an undisclosed private matter. Greene signed a one-year, $750,000 deal on Jan. 21.

REDS: Free-agent outfielder Jonny Gomes signed a one-year, $800,000 deal with Cincinnati, providing the right-handed power hitter the Reds wanted in the outfield.

Gomes, 29, will compete for the job in left field. The contract of the former Rays player includes a club option for 2011.

TIGERS: Outfielder Johnny Damon finalized an $8 million, one-year contract.

TWINS: Reliever Jose Mijares was absent from the first official workout for pitchers and catchers because of an unspecified issue in Venezuela.

YANKEES: Chan Ho Park said he has signed a one-year deal with New York.

The South Korean told a news conference in Seoul on Monday he has agreed to a deal worth $1.2 million with an additional $300,000 performance to join the Yankees bullpen.