Hamilton won’t be disciplined by MLB
NEW YORK — Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton will not be disciplined by Major League Baseball for his latest problems involving cocaine and alcohol. Team officials said they were surprised and disappointed.
Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said he disagrees with the ruling by an arbitrator appointed under MLB’s joint drug program with the players’ association.
Major League Baseball said earlier Friday that it also disagreed with the ruling.
Hamilton has played poorly during the first two years of his five-year, $125 million contract with the Angels, who still owe him roughly $90 million over the next three years.
Hamilton, a five-time All-Star and the 2010 AL MVP, is subject to the treatment program for prior violations involving cocaine stretching back a decade.
Hamilton reported a new issue this year involving both cocaine and alcohol, a source said.
MLB said it took “the position that Hamilton violated his treatment program and is subject to discipline by the commissioner.”
Baseball defines cocaine as a drug of abuse, which is covered by different rules than those for performance-enhancing drugs, such as steroids.
Hamilton, who turns 34 in May, won the AL MVP award with Texas during a six-year stretch as one of baseball’s best players for the Rangers and Cincinnati Reds. But his career headed downhill in his final season in Texas, and it has picked up speed with Los Angeles.
DEVELOPMENTS
Cosart fined: An investigation by Major League Baseball has determined that Miami Marlins pitcher Jarred Cosart did not bet on baseball games.
Cosart, 24, was fined an undisclosed amount Friday for violating rules against illegal gambling.
“The investigation did not reveal any evidence to suggest that Cosart, who fully cooperated with the investigation, bet on baseball,” MLB said in a statement, adding that the fine was due to “Major League Rule 21(d)(3) prohibits players from placing bets with illegal book makers, or agents for illegal book makers.”
Cosart could have been banned from baseball for life if it had been proved that he bet on baseball games.
Santana suspended: Minnesota Twins pitcher Ervin Santana was suspended for 80 games by Major League Baseball on Friday after testing positive for the performanceenhancing substance Stanozolol.
In a statement, Santana said he was surprised by the news but does not plan to appeal. He’ll miss the first half of the season.
Santana signed a fouryear, $55 million contract with the Twins after pitching last season with Atlanta.
Braves get pitcher: The Atlanta Braves have acquired pitcher Trevor Cahill from Arizona.
The Diamondbacks sent Cahill and minor league outfielder Josh Elander to the Braves.
The 27-year-old righthander, an All-Star with Oakland in 2010, was 3-12 with a 5.61 ERA for Arizona last season. He is 6469 with a 4.07 ERA in six seasons.
Briefly: The San Francisco Giants have extended the contracts of manager Bruce Bochy and baseball operations leader Brian Sabean through the 2019 season. ... Ubaldo Jimenez wrapped up his spring by allowing one run in four innings, and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Atlanta Braves 3-2 on Friday night at Sarasota, Florida. Atlanta’s Shelby Miller gave up three runs in five innings. ... At Montreal, a crowd of 46,314 at Olympic Stadium watched Jason Marquis and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Toronto Blue Jays 2-0. ... Scooter Gennett drove in three runs with a double and a single off Carlos Carrasco, leading the Milwaukee Brewers over the Cleveland Indians 6-3 at Goodyear, Arizona. ... Miguel Cabrera hit his third home run of the spring, doubled and drove in three runs for the Detroit Tigers in an 11-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays at Lakeland, Florida. Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez pitched 5 innings, allowing five runs and five hits. ... At Tampa, Stephen Strasburg gave up one run in 5 innings and the Washington Nationals beat the New York Yankees 8-2 in the final spring training game in Florida for both teams. Strasburg allowed six hits, struck out six and walked two.