SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Raul Mondesi, his pay withheld for most of the season because of a civil suit, said he will sit out the rest of the year.
"I won't play another game this season," Mondesi told The Associated Press. "I can't concentrate well enough to play baseball. I don't want to become a distraction for the team."
Mondesi, 33, said the decision was only for this year and he may return next season.
Mondesi returned to his native Caribbean country on Saturday. He missed a three-game weekend series against Los Angeles.
RAMIREZ MISSES GAME: Manny Ramirez had a good reason to miss his first game of the season with the Boston Red Sox. He went to Miami to become a U.S. citizen.
With the support of team management, Ramirez left Boston after Sunday's 8-4 loss to the Kansas City Royals.