Josh Hamilton's Potential Discipline Reportedly Expected Before Opening Day

Major League Baseball's decision on potential discipline for Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton could come as soon as next week.

According to a report by Jon Morosi and Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the four-person panel in charge of deciding Hamilton's punishment (or lack thereof) will have a decision in place by Opening Day.   

Hamilton, 33, is facing a potential MLB suspension after going through a drug and alcohol relapse. The former MVP failed a number of drug tests while in the Tampa Bay Rays' minor league system and was out of baseball from July 2002 to July 2006 while battling his addictions.

He returned to baseball late in 2006 before finally embarking on the type of MLB career many expected when he was the No. 1 pick in the 1999 draft.

The Fox Sports report indicates MLB is currently considering a suspension between 25 games and one year. The players association has not agreed to such stipulations and has pushed for a more treatment-based punishment with little in the way of lost salary.

Mike Digiovanna and Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reported the committee is currently "deadlocked" while trying to make a decision. An arbitrator is expected to join the case and offer a tie-breaking vote.

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