Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton, who has a long history of drug addiction, relapsed during the offseason and informed MLB on his own of his actions, according to reports. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports has reported that the relapse involved “at least cocaine.”
According to Heyman, Hamilton has not failed any test. He took it upon himself to report the violation. Despite his history of drug use prior to breaking into the majors, Hamilton is expected to be treated as a first time offender and is unlikely to face suspension.
Hamilton famously was out of baseball from 2002-2006 because of a lengthy battle with addiction, but made It back to the bigs in 2007 with the Cincinnati Reds. He was then traded to Texas where he blossomed into a superstar, winning the MVP award in 2010 despite missing 29 games.
Hamilton signed a five-year, $125 million deal with the Angels in 2013, but in his two seasons with the Halos he’s failed to live up to expectations. Last year Hamilton slashed .263/.331/.414 with just 10 home runs in 85 games. The prior year he belted 21 homers, but hit just .250. He hasn’t reached 80 RBI since leaving The Ballpark in Arlington.
Bill Shaikin of The Los Angeles Times thinks it is possible that Hamilton’s past drug abuse will factor into how MLB handles his latest relapse, and disagreed with Heyman’s take that he’d be treated as a first-time offender.
Hamilton was expected to miss the first month of the season because of shoulder surgery.
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