A's release Manny Ramirez - San Jose Mercury News

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Oakland Athletics Collin Cowgill scores in front of San Diego Padres catcher Nick Hundley during fourth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Friday, June 15, 2012. Cowgill scored on a Cliff Pennington double. (AP Photo/George Nikitin)

The Manny Ramirez era in Oakland has ended before the designated hitter played a game for the A's.

Ramirez, 40, was granted his request to be released by the organization, the A's announced Friday shortly before turning a five-run first inning into a 10-2 victory over the San Diego Padres in front of 24,528 at the Coliseum.

The offensive display provided a demonstration for why Ramirez wanted out. The A's have scored 36 runs during a four-game winning streak, their most over a four-game stretch since scoring 48 in June 2004.

So while Ramirez was hitting .302 with no home runs in 17 games at Triple-A Sacramento, there weren't any obvious candidates for him to replace on the major league roster. That meant his attempt to return to the majors after a 50-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's drug policy wouldn't happen in Oakland.

"I was playing better," Ramirez told the San Francisco Chronicle. "I got my timing, I got my rhythm. But there wasn't a place for me to play. What can I do? I don't own the team."

A news release issued by Praver Shapiro Sports Management on behalf of Ramirez said: "Manny believes he has demonstrated that he is ready to return to the Major Leagues. However, given that the Oakland Athletics could not give Manny any assurance that they plan to promote him in the immediate future he asked for his release. Manny thanks the A's for providing him with this opportunity."

River Cats spokesman

Zak Basch said Ramirez was at Raley Field before a game against Tacoma. Basch said the River Cats did not know the move was coming.

Ramirez retired in April 2011 after his second suspension for violating the league's drug policy, but he signed a minor-league contract with the A's in February.

A's general manager Billy Beane told this newspaper last week that "nothing is set in stone" in regard to Ramirez.

"I don't know if disappointing is the right word," Beane said last week. "Once again, I go back to the first day we signed him. I said there's no downside, it's all upside. (But) we want to make sure there is still upside."

• First baseman Brandon Moss continued his tear since being called up June 6, crushing his fifth home run in the past four games. His two-run blast combined with Josh Reddick's two-run triple to account for most of the scoring in the five-run first. Moss is the first A's player to homer in four consecutive games since Jack Cust in 2007.
• Travis Blackley (1-2) earned his first win since 2004 and the second of his career, allowing two runs and five hits in six innings. The left-hander did not allow a run after the second inning.
• Pitcher Brandon McCarthy, who has a sore shoulder, threw a bullpen session Friday, but although he probably will escape a stint on the disabled list, Tyson Ross will be recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to start Saturday against the Padres. Manager Bob Melvin said a corresponding roster move for Ross will be announced Saturday.

  McCarthy came home in the middle of the team's trip earlier this week to undergo an MRI exam, which revealed no structural damage.

  "Very encouraged that we won't have to D.L. him," Melvin said. "Whether (he starts) early next week, there's potential for that. I think that's what we're hoping for at this point."

  McCarthy said he felt good after the bullpen session, saying he will "start in a few days" and that he's "good to go."

  Reliever Jordan Norberto also threw a bullpen session, and Melvin said that the left-hander will throw another one Sunday and is close to returning.

• Melvin said outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was scheduled to run before the game to see how his sore left hamstring felt. Cespedes did not play Friday.

  "It literally is day to day, but we feel like we have a few more options with being able to potentially D.H. him here," Melvin said. "We certainly aren't going to rush him to the D.L. He's a guy that's very important to our lineup."

• The A's agreed to terms with first-round draft pick Addison Russell of Pace High in Florida. The shortstop was in Oakland on Friday, taking ground balls and batting practice before the game.

  Baseball America reported that Russell, a client of agent Scott Boras, signed for $2.65 million.

  Baseball America also reported that the A's agreed to terms with their second pick, Upland High third baseman Daniel Robertson. He is reported to have signed for a bonus of $1.5 million.

  Saturday's game
  

  San Diego (Ross Ohlendorf 1-0) at A's (Tyson Ross 2-6), 1:05 p.m. CSNCA