Baseball commissioner Bud Selig will tell you until he's blue in the face that his sport is now the toughest of any of the major pro leagues on punishing those who commit steroid and other substance abuse infractions.

When Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez violated the league's policy, he was handed a 50-game suspension.

At least it seemed that way to me.

Ramirez was suspended May 7, meaning he could not play again for the Dodgers until July 3.

That looked like public relations coup, the idea that one of the game's all-time sluggers was caught and now had to face the music.

However, beginning today, Ramirez is expected to play a handful of games for the Albuquerque Isotopes, the Dodgers' AAA affiliate.

The last time I checked, Class AAA is still professional baseball, yet Ramirez will be allowed to play as he prepares to rejoin the Dodgers in two weeks.

Some suspension. There is a 10-game transitional clause that allows players to get some minor league games under their belts.

That's a terrible clause. In essence, it's a 40-game suspension, plus the minor league teams that involve the player will be guaranteed to draw lots of fans — in other words, extra revenue for those teams.

Ramirez, who tested positive for an artificial testosterone and the female fertility drug human chorionic gonadotropin, has been able to work out, take batting practice, get some work in the outfield and stay connected to the team.

He cannot, however, have access to the clubhouse when it is open to reporters, which he did violate a couple weeks ago.

Still, he has all the same amenities as the rest of the team, he just doesn't get to face live game conditions, which might slow his timing for a few games until he returns. So what?

In the NFL, a four-game suspension for a first-time offender usually results in a four-game suspension, although certain circumstances might affect that.

Still, you don't see a player getting to play with another team for one game before he returns. He's allowed the same privilege to work out, but can't play in the games until his four games are up.

When it is, it's "Hey, welcome back. Now, get out there and hit somebody." An NFL player doesn't get to play a warm-up game in a lesser league.

Baseball is allowing itself a loophole to allow players to get back on the field ready to go. Ramirez, and any others who break the policy, should not be allowed to play until the suspension is completed.

It should be simple math. Fifty games is 50 games. Allowing Ramirez to play before his suspension is lifted is wrong.

This is not a disabled list or injury rehab assignment before rejoining the club. This is much more serious than that and baseball should acknowledge it.

Ramirez shouldn't be allowed to step into the batter's box for Los Angeles until July 3 — or the end of his first trimester, whichever comes first.

Sam Tallarico is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.