Report: MLB's Ruling on Astros Punishment Could Come at 'Any Time'

Discipline could come for the Houston Astros "at any time" as MLB approaches the final stages of its investigation, according to Andy Martino of SNY.

The league has undergone a thorough investigation into whether the Astros used electronic equipment to steal signs from opposing teams. 

Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, MLB has interviewed about 60 witnesses and read 76,000 emails during the inquiry.

The team has reportedly admitted to stealing signs but denied it installed a special camera to do it, per Martino.

"We did ask for a game center field feed to decode signs, as many teams do," one witness reportedly told MLB. "All we asked for was a live feed."

Pitcher Mike Fiers was one of four players to admit to stealing signs during the 2017 season with the use of a center field camera, per Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich of The Athletic.

Using an electronic device to steal signs is against league rules.

After the Boston Red Sox were caught using an Apple Watch to help steal signs in 2017, Commissioner Rob Manfred warned all 30 teams that "future violations of this type will be subject to more serious sanctions," per Gabe Lacques of USA Today.

Houston has had plenty of success on the field in the past few years, winning 311 regular-season games over the past three seasons. The squad won the World Series in 2017 and came close to winning again in 2019 but lost to the Washington Nationals in seven games.