Ramirez returns to Dodgers

Manny Ramirez #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers laughs during batting practice against of the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Three of the NLCS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park on October 18, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Manny Ramirez is coming back to the Dodgers next season.

The team said Friday that the slugger exercised his US$20 million contract option for 2010. His agent Scott Boras informed Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti of the decision.

Ramirez hit .290 with 19 home runs and 63 RBIs in 104 regular season games. He missed 50 games while suspended for violating baseball's drug policy.

In the NL division series against St. Louis, Ramirez batted .308 with no homers and two RBIs. Against Philadelphia in the NL championship series, he hit .263 with one homer and two RBIs.

Ramirez was traded to the Dodgers from Boston in July 2008.