Manny remains content with Rangers at Triple-A

OAKLAND -- Manny Ramirez went 2-for-3 for Triple-A Round Rock on Friday night against Fresno. He is now hitting .280 in 22 games with a .415 slugging percentage. Even with the possibility of Nelson Cruz being suspended Monday, the Rangers still aren't inclined to bring Ramirez to the big leagues.

But they are also willing to stick with Ramirez rather than let him go. Ramirez also appears content to keep playing at Round Rock and hasn't pressed the Rangers for a promotion.

"You know, he's been terrific in that regard," assistant general manager Thad Levine said. "He's down there playing. We're not having daily, weekly conversations with either he or his agent about what is the end. I think they understand that if his performance demands a promotion, it's going to happen. If not, he understands the onus is on him to prove his worth to the big league team."

The Rangers would also likely not stand in the way if another team feels Ramirez could help it. But nobody has made that call.

"Not to my knowledge," Levine said. "I think the understanding with somebody of that caliber and stature, if that call was made, we would ask for a 24- to 72-hour window to assess our situation at the big leagues here, and if we didn't feel we had a direct path, we would certainly facilitate a path for him to get to the big leagues with another team."