Manny Ramirez's system found no trace of the medicine HCG at the time of his drug test, three sources with specific knowledge of the results have told The Times. It was a prescription for that drug, which is a non-steroid but banned by Major League Baseball, that led to the outfielder's 50-game suspension for violating the league's drug policy. One of the sources with knowledge of the test results confirmed that the outfielder's sample was flagged for having an unusually elevated synthetic testosterone level, more than four times that of the average male. Sources also said that MLB's decision to move to suspend Ramirez would have happened only if the report showed a banned substance. Anti-doping experts said the absence of HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), coupled with the league's action, indicated that Ramirez used steroids. Ramirez was suspended for "just cause" based on "non-analytical evidence" and for which a "therapeutic use" exemption was available but never requested. Once MLB had the prescription, Ramirez dropped the appeal and was suspended.