The Angels have been bracing for a Josh Hamilton suspension since the outfielder admitted in February to suffering a drug and alcohol relapse. According to CBS Sports.com's Jon Heyman, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred will rule on the matter sometime before opening day.
It is not known how long a suspension, if any, will be.
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Heyman's report is slightly more definitive than what Manfred told reporters last week (per The Associated Press). "I expect a decision before opening day," Manfred was quoted as saying.
Hamilton admitted to having a drug problem earlier in his career after failing six drug tests in the Rays' farm system and serving a two-year suspension. He had remained mostly clean before the incident this offseason.
He is required to take three required drug tests a week as a condition of his reinstatement by former commissioner Bud Selig.
Hamilton underwent shoulder surgery Feb. 4, a development Manfred has said will influence his timetable. "Obviously with Josh Hamilton recovering from surgery, that may give us some more time because he won't play," he told reporters.
Hamilton, 33, is in the third year of a $125 million, five-year contract and is due $25 million this year. When healthy, he's a valued asset at the plate, but he has had trouble staying on the field in the past because of injuries. He played in just 89 games for LA in 2014.