Veteran outfielder Manny Ramirez is planning to end his brief retirement and play in 2012 according to Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com (No, this is not a September’s Fool joke).

Back in April the controversial Ramirez retired after being informed by MLB of an “Issue” regarding the Drug Prevention program. He was looking at a 100 game suspension at the moment because it was his second offense.

Earlier this month Ramirez said he was going to play Winter League in the Dominican Republic, but because their Winter League is affiliated with MLB, commissioner Bud Selig considers him ineligible to play.

Now, Ramirez wants to make a comeback even if it is in Japan. “I informed Scott Boras about my decision and he began the process,” said Ramirez. “If somebody wants to sign me in the Majors I’ll play, if not I’ll try to play in Japan or any other place. I wasn’t ready for retirement.”

Image by Keith Allison under the Creative Commons License.