Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton is facing at least a 25-game suspension - but less than a full-season suspension - after a reported relapse involving cocaine and alcohol, write Fox Sports' Jon Morosi and Ken Rosenthal.
Major League Baseball officials are still weighing Hamilton's punishment but want to show compassion, as Hamilton until recently had abided by the terms of his 2006 reinstatement, after previous struggles with addiction and a two-year suspension.
Morosi and Rosenthal add:
Because of various complexities, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred is not close to a decision. Moreover, the MLB Players Association, acting on Hamilton's behalf, would appeal any penalty it deems to be too harsh. ...
The punishment for a player's first failure to comply with a treatment program is a suspension of at least 15 but not more than 25 games. Yet, this is not Hamilton's first offense. The suspension he served while in the minor leagues — from Feb. 18, 2004 through June 1, 2006 — was for a succession of violations.
Additionally, MLB classifies the 2004-06 suspension as a major-league violation, because the Tampa Bay Devil Rays had placed him on their 40-man roster before it began. So, Hamilton is now a repeat offender at the major-league level even though he did not debut with the Cincinnati Reds until 2007.
The Fox journalists' sources add that Manfred is "concerned" about punishing Hamilton too harshly, but leniency won't be granted because Hamilton approached MLB officials about his relapse, since the 33-year-old may have known a failed drug test was in his future.
Hamilton, who hasn't reported to spring training due to shoulder surgery, has struggled staying sober in the past when he's been away from the game. He was expected to be out until at least Opening Day, but his future now is even more uncertain.
It's unclear whether Hamilton - who will earn $25 million this season - will have to forfeit his salary during a potential suspension.