Pending an independent arbitrator’s decision, Josh Hamilton could be suspended for the entire 2015 season.
The Los Angeles Times reports that an arbitrator has been called upon to determine Hamilton’s fate after a decision could not be reached by a four-person panel made up of two lawyers and two physicians — one of each appointed by Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association. The main disagreement deals with rehab treatment for the Los Angeles Angels slugger.
Hamilton has essentially failed so many drug tests that it is difficult to determine what his punishment should be. He failed at least six drug tests with the Tampa Bay Rays a decade ago and was suspended from 2004 through 2006. MLB officials are now considering whether to classify him as a fourth-time offender, which would result in a ban of at least one season.
If the reports about Hamilton’s relapses are true, baseball could be the least of his concerns. He has battled drug and alcohol addiction for many years and admitted to having alcohol relapses in both 2009 and 2012.
