Manfred rebuffs Chris Correa's statement accusing Astros of wrongdoing

Rob Manfred isn't going to let Chris Correa denounce MLB's ruling in the St. Louis Cardinals-Houston Astros hacking scandal.

In essence, the commissioner said he didn't hand Correa a lifetime ban from baseball due to the hacking scandal, but instead because he refused to cooperate with MLB's investigation.

"On July 21, 2016, Mr. Correa was informed directly that he would be placed on the permanently ineligible list if he did not cooperate with the Department of Investigations," Manfred said in a statement. "Mr. Correa not only steadfastly refused to answer any questions, but also opposed the release of any documents by the government to the Office of the Commissioner."

Related: Imprisoned ex-Cardinals exec accuses Astros of hacking

The news comes hours after the former Cardinals scouting director released a statement, while incarcerated, saying he offered to meet with Manfred to tell him the truth. Correa also added that the only reason he hacked the Astros' database was because they did so first to the Cardinals.

Correa insisted he did his best to keep MLB in the loop, adding it was Manfred who wanted no part of him:

In 2015, I admitted to unauthorized computer access and volunteered to meet with the commissioner to answer my questions and share my concerns about intellectual property theft," Correa said. "I offered to fly to New York. In June, I suggested a meeting during his visit to Busch Stadium.

The commissioner was unresponsive.

I am unimpressed with Major League Baseball's commitment to fair and just sanctions in this matter. The Cardinals were not the organization that benefited from unauthorized access.

Manfred's statement rebukes Correa's, affirming that whenever he's ready to share everything from his side of the story, MLB will be ready.

"On August 23, 2016, Mr. Correa's attorney told the Department of Investigations that Mr. Correa was not interested in 'providing any information directly or indirectly to MLB.' The Department of Investigations was not provided evidence to substantiate the other allegations contained in Mr. Correa's letter, but remains willing to meet with Mr. Correa at any time."