The Angels have been without co-aces John Lackey and Ervin Santana this season due to injury. Both could be returning sometime this week, which would be a tremendous relief to the Angels' rotation.

From Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times:

Angels ace John Lackey, in a rehabilitation start for triple-A Salt Lake, gave up three runs and five hits in five innings against Portland on Sunday, striking out five, walking none and retiring nine straight batters at one point.

Lackey, sidelined all season because of an elbow strain, threw 75 pitches, 49 for strikes, and there is a good chance that he and right-hander Ervin Santana, who threw five innings for Salt Lake on Saturday, will be activated this week.

The Angels, as expected, will use today's day off to skip Anthony Ortega in the rotation, and Jered Weaver, Matt Palmer and Joe Saunders will probably pitch against Boston this week.

Ortega was optioned to Salt Lake after Sunday's game, and the Angels will probably add a third catcher Tuesday as insurance on the days catcher Mike Napoli starts as designated hitter.

The Angels will make decisions on Lackey and Santana after reviewing tapes of their games at Salt Lake.

"We don't want [them] to waste bullets pitching in the minor leagues," Scioscia said, "but we also want to make sure [they're] ready for the challenge."

While Kelvim Escobar is still a ways away from making an impact, Lackey and Santana should provide depth at the top of the Angels rotation. If they do that, the Angels can rise to the top of the AL West.

The only problem is that Lackey has been injury prone in the past, while Santana has a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. To use manager Mike Scioscia's phrase, how many bullets are in their arms? The Angels season depends on them staying healthy and effective.

It's been a while, but we have a Torii Hunter game saving catch special today:

Manny Ramirez reportedly tested positive for hCG, which is a women's fertility drug. Steroid users - I'm not calling Manny one, but his stats should be taken with a grain of salt - use this after finishing a cycle of steroids because it boosts their body's natural production of testosterone.

Ramirez is the latest Boras client caught in this steroids problem in major league baseball. From Michael O'Keeffe of the New York Daily News:

Manny Ramirez is just the latest Major League Baseball player represented by superagent Scott Boras to be linked to performance-enhancing drugs:

Barry Bonds: Former Boras client was indicted on perjury and obstruction of justice charges for allegedly lying to BALCO grand jury when he testified that he never knowingly used steroids.

Kevin Brown: Mitchell Report says former Yankee pitcher put Boras' headquarters as a return address when he overnighted cash to steroid supplier Kirk Radomski.

Eric Gagne: Three days after Boras helps closer land $10 million contract with Milwaukee Brewers, Mitchell Report is released and says Gagne bought human growth hormone in 2004.

Scott Schoeneweis: Former Mets reliever received six shipments of steroids from Signature Pharmacy, target of Albany Internet drug investigation.

Rick Ankiel: Daily News reported in 2007 that Cardinals' pitcher-turned-outfielder received 12-month supply of human growth hormone from Signature Pharmacy.

Ron Villone: Former Yankee pitcher bought three kits of growth hormone from Radomski, according to Mitchell Report.

Ivan Rodriguez: Jose Canseco says in his book "Juiced" that he taught All-Star catcher all about steroids when they were teammates in Texas.

Gary Sheffield: Former Boras client told BALCO grand jury he unknowingly used steroids.

Alex Rodriguez: A-Rod admitted using steroids after Sports Illustrated reported in February that he tested positive during 2003 survey testing.

This is probably nothing more than a coincidence. Boras represents the best players in the game, because those are the players who provide the biggest payday. It just so happens that the best players in the major leagues happen to use steroids or other performance-enhancing substances.

I doubt Boras' history with clients caught in the steroids racket means anything, but it is an interesting fact to keep in mind.

Via MLB.com:

Major League Baseball suspended Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez for 50 games on Thursday for use of performance enhancing drugs.

...

Ramirez, in a statement released by the Major League Baseball Players Association, attributed a positive drug test to a doctor-prescribed medication and waived his right to challenge the discipline.

"Recently I saw a physician for a personal health issue. He gave me a medication, not a steroid, which he thought was OK to give me. Unfortunately, the medication was banned under our drug policy. Under the policy that mistake is now my responsibility. I have been advised not to say anything more for now. I do want to say one other thing; I've taken and passed about 15 drug tests over the past five seasons.

"I want to apologize to Mr. McCourt, Mrs. McCourt, Mr. Torre, my teammates, the Dodger organization, and to the Dodger fans. LA is a special place to me and I know everybody is disappointed. So am I. I'm sorry about this whole situation."

...

All suspensions are without pay, so the suspension will cost Ramirez, who re-signed with the Dodgers as a free agent on a two-year contract that was to pay him $25 million this season, roughly $7.7 million.

Ramirez has been a key component in leading the Dodgers to the best record in baseball this year. In 27 games, he is batting .348 with six home runs and 20RBIs. He is among league leaders in slugging and on-base percentage and has become the biggest drawing card the Dodgers have had since Fernando Valenzuela, even recently having a portion of the left-field box seats rechristened "Mannywood."

Wednesday night, Ramirez went 1-for-3 with a two-run double as the Dodgers set a modern-day record with their 13th consecutive home win to open a season.

Juan Pierre would be the immediate replacement for Ramirez in left field, while the Dodgers are expected to promote rookie Xavier Paul from Triple-A Albuqueruque to replace Ramirez on the active roster.

Apart from whatever light this sheds on Ramirez (I'm inclined to believe his explanation because I simply do not believe that Manny is the type of guys who does PED, but I could very well be wrong), is this a severe blow to the Dodgers' chances of winning their division? They already enjoy a 6.5 games lead over the next team and while the absent of Ramirez certainly weakens them, you could make the case that they are still the best team in the division without him or at least they are very close. As long as these news do not bring too much turmoil to the clubhouse - and unless they start a long losing streak, why would it? - the Dodgers should be fine in the long run.

Update: Check 6-4-2 for the latest news on the topic