Manny exercises 2010 option to return to Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers Manny Ramirez tosses his bat after popping out during the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 2 of Major League Baseball's NLCS playoff series in Los Angeles, October 16, 2009.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Slugger Manny Ramirez will exercise his $20 million option to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers for the 2010 season, the team announced on their website on Friday.

Ramirez, who signed a deal last offseason that guaranteed him $25 million for 2009 and a player option for 2010, had until Tuesday to notify the club.

The 37-year-old batted .290 with 19 home runs and 63 RBIs last season but was hit with a 50-game suspension by Major League Baseball for testing positive for a banned substance.

Ramirez failed to regain top form after his return from the early season suspension.

"There was no doubt he had his struggles this past season," Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti told the Los Angeles Times.

"We still feel that he is a very good hitter and maybe, with a winter off and a chance to regroup, he can come back with a better frame of mind and his confidence rebuilt."

(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Rutherford)