Angels Prez Says Hamilton Non-Suspension “Defies Logic”
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Ronald Martinez/Getty Images(ANAHEIM, Ca.) — An independent arbitrator has ruled that Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton cannot be suspended by Major League Baseball after his latest relapse with cocaine and alcohol.
MLB said in a statement it “will seek to address deficiencies in the manner in which drugs of abuse are addressed under the program in the collective-bargaining process.”
The Angels released a statement after the ruling, saying they will support Hamilton:
“The Angels have serious concerns about Josh’s conduct, health and behavior and we are disappointed that he has broken an important commitment which he made to himself, his family, his teammates and our fans. We are going to do everything possible to assure he receives proper help for himself and for the well-being of his family
Afterwards, Angel’s team president John Carpino and general manager Jerry Dipoto agreed with MLB and announced they were disappointed in the ruling of the arbitrator.
“It defies logic that Josh’s reported behavior is not a violation of his drug program,” Carpino said Friday.
Hamilton will start the season on the disabled list as he rehabs from offseason shoulder surgery.
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