Major League Baseball announced Friday that Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton will not be suspended after an arbitrator decided he did not violate his drug treatment program."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 league announced in a press release. 
"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."Hamilton, who is expected to miss the start of the season due to offseason shoulder surgery, was suspended from baseball from 2004-06 for issues related to cocaine and alcohol abuse. He admitted to MLB he experienced a relapse a few months ago, CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reported in late February. A source told Heyman in late February that Hamilton confessed to going on a binge that involved cocaine.
"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."Hamilton, who is expected to miss the start of the season due to offseason shoulder surgery, was suspended from baseball from 2004-06 for issues related to cocaine and alcohol abuse. He admitted to MLB he experienced a relapse a few months ago, CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reported in late February. A source told Heyman in late February that Hamilton confessed to going on a binge that involved cocaine.
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