Former Red Sox player Hanley Ramirez is not under investigation, according to a Boston Globe report published Sunday.
The Globe has obtained court documents from U.S. District Court and says a friend of Ramirez dropped his name in an effort to avoid arrest while transporting drugs from New York to Massachusetts. The friend later admitted Ramirez had no connection to the drugs.
The Globe's report comes two days after ABC News' Michele McPhee reported that Ramirez was "being eyed" in an ongoing federal and state investigation for possible ties to a Lawrence-based drug ring.
Following Sunday's report, Ramirez's agent, Adam Katz, released a statement, saying, “The reporting on Hanley’s involvement in this matter was reckless and irresponsible. It’s unfortunate that one careless, inaccurate story can generate such widespread negative and damaging coverage. Hanley is pleased to be absolved from wrongdoing and having any involvement in this matter.”
Late Sunday night, Ramirez said in a tweet that he is "grateful to those of you who resisted spreading the reckless, misleading reports."
Ramirez, the Boston Red Sox, and MLB had all issued statements saying they were unaware of any investigation into the former Sox infielder.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora even spoke following the Sox game Friday night saying he wasn't aware of any investigation, and he hoped the report wasn't true.
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"You know the organization didn't know about this, and I didn't know about this you know. Our decision was made basically on baseball, you know baseball related. And you know I hope it's not true," he said following the team's 14-10 win over the Seattle Mariners.
The Red Sox have maintained that Ramirez was released from the team for baseball performance reasons.
Ramirez was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on May 25. Since being released by Boston, Ramirez has not signed with another team.
He also said in his tweet Sunday night that not being on a team has been his choice.
"I have been home enjoying my family. Not being on a team has been my choice," the tweet read.
