The Major League Baseball Players Association released a statement Thursday criticizing leaks of information pertaining to Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton.
"It is regrettable that people who want to see Josh Hamilton hurt personally and professionally have started leaking information about the status of his treatment program and the confidential processes under our Joint Drug Agreement," the union wrote in the statement. "These anonymous leaks are cowardly, undermine the integrity of our collectively bargained agreements and in some instances have been wholly inaccurate.
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"The Major League Baseball Players Association will use every right we have under the collective bargaining agreement to make sure Josh gets the help he needs, and the fair and confidential process to which he is entitled."
The union did not specify which reports have been inaccurate.
The MLBPA released its statement a day after the Los Angeles Times reported a four-person disciplinary panel remains undecided on Hamilton's fate and that an arbitrator has been called in to break the deadlock.
Hamilton faces a possible one-year suspension for what would be his fourth violation of baseball's drug policy. He was suspended from 2004 through 2006 for repeated drug and alcohol violations. His latest relapse reportedly involved alcohol and cocaine. Hamilton has long battled addiction, but was a five-time All-Star with the Texas Rangers while helping to lead them to consecutive American League pennants in 2010 and 2011. He was the AL MVP and ALCS MVP in 2010.
Hamilton was trying to come back from a shoulder injury before his drug backslide. He met with MLB officials in late February to discuss his future.