The following is a press release from Major League baseball pertaining to the Josh Hamilton situation and his recent arbitration victory which means he will not be punished for his off-season drug relapse.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Outfielder, will miss the start of the season as he continues his rehabilitation from off-season shoulder surgery.
MLB Press Release on Josh Hamilton
“The issue of whether Josh Hamilton violated his treatment program was submitted to the Treatment Board established under Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The MLB representatives and the Players Association representatives on the Treatment Board deadlocked on that issue, with MLB taking the position that Hamilton violated his treatment program and is subject to discipline by the Commissioner. Under the procedures of the Program, an outside arbitrator was appointed to break the tie, and the arbitrator ruled that Josh Hamilton’s conduct did not violate his treatment program. As a result of that decision, the Office of the Commissioner is not permitted to suspend or impose any discipline on Hamilton. The Office of the Commissioner disagrees with the decision, and will seek to address deficiencies in the manner in which drugs of abuse are addressed under the Program in the collective bargaining process.”
Main Photo
ANAHEIM, CA – OCTOBER 5: Josh Hamilton #32 of the Los Angeles Angels at bat during game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Kansas City Royals on October 5, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Matt Brown/Angels Baseball LP/Getty Images)