Josh Hamilton avoids suspension
An arbitrator has cleared Josh Hamilton of violating the terms of his drug treatment programme.
After the MLB Players' Association lobbied for Josh Hamilton, saying his admitted recent drug relapse was not a violation of his treatment program, MLB brought in an arbitrator that ultimately ruled in favor of the MLBPA.
Hamilton will therefore not be suspended.
"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," read an MLB statement on Friday.
"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 programme, 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 programme in the collective bargaining process."
Hamilton had alcohol relapses in 2009 and 2012 and is subject to three drug tests per week as part of his reinstatement.
The 33-year-old is expected to be on the disabled list until May as he recovers from shoulder surgery.