Former MVP Josh Hamilton escapes sanction for drug relapse

Former American League Most Valuable Player Josh Hamilton can`t be sanctioned by Major League Baseball for a relapse into drug abuse, an arbitrator ruled on Friday.

Hamilton met with Major League Baseball officials in February after he apparently self-reported his use of cocaine and alcohol.

The Angels` veteran outfielder was suspended for three seasons between 2003-05 for well-documented issues with substance abuse and undergoes regular drug testing as a condition of his reinstatement into baseball in 2005.

MLB officials thought Hamilton violated his treatment program with the recent relapse, but the players` association disagreed.

After league and union representatives were unable to reach an agreement in the case, an arbitrator was called in.

The arbitrator said Hamilton did not violate terms of the agreement, although the reasoning behind the decision was not divulged.

Major League Baseball released a statement Friday saying it disagreed with the arbitrator`s 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 had been spending the offseason in Houston recovering from surgery in early February to repair the AC joint in his right shoulder when reports began to surface about his drug relapse. He is still rehabbing from the procedure and could return in May.

"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," Angels general manager Jerry DiPoto said in a statement on Friday. "We are going to do everything possible to assure he receives proper help for himself and for the well-being of his family."

The 33-year-old slugger beat his early addiction problems and became one of the game`s most feared hitters over a five-year span with the Texas Rangers from 2008-12.

Hamilton was named an American League All-Star in each of those seasons and captured the AL MVP award in 2010.

Hamilton inked a five-year, $125 million (114 million euros) contract with the Angels in December of 2012.