More Manny Talk

I was watching SportsCenter this morning while I was working out, and while taling about Manny's "rehab" assignment, they brought up an interesting question.

Manny Ramirez was suspended for 50 games. His suspension is not yet over. He's beginning to play with the Dodgers' Triple A club. He's playing professional baseball.

Should he be allowed to do that under the terms of his suspension?

I'm assuming that he is, since Major League Baseball hasn't put the kabosh (sp?) on it. But for the sake of debate, let's say the language of his suspension stipulated that he was suspended from professional baseball for 50 games.

Rehab assignments are for guys who are injured. Manny isn't injured, save for his ego (although I don't think that was hurt at all). Manny was suspended for taking drugs. Whether they were steroids or not, we may never know the whole truth, but the fact remains.

I don't think Manny should be allowed to go on this "rehab assignment". He was suspended for violating the rules, and he shouldn't have the opportunity to go down and play so that when he does become eligible, he's ready to hit major league pitching. You don't see a guy suspended for 5 or 6 games going down to AAA while he's out just to play. Why should Manny have that advantage?

I don't agree with MLB's decision to let Manny do this, and I don't think it's fair to the other guys who get suspended.