NEW YORK — Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz says he was told by the baseball players' union that he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003.

Ortiz says he's surprised by the news and intends to find out what drug was found in the tests that were supposed to remain anonymous.

The New York Times reported Thursday on its Web site that Ortiz and former teammate Manny Ramirez were among the more than 100 major league players who tested positive in 2003. The newspaper cited lawyers involved in pending litigation over the testing results who spoke anonymously because the information is under seal by a court order.

The Times did not say which drugs were involved.

Asked about the report, Ramirez told reporters to call the players' union.