Josh Hamilton will not be suspended

MLB has announced that Josh Hamilton will not be suspended for his use of drugs this past offseason.

Hamilton self-reported to MLB that he had used cocaine this offseason, according to multiple reports, and a four person panel was convened to determine whether he was in violation of the Joint Drug Agreement, which would result in a suspension.  The four person panel consistent of two owner representatives and two player representatives, and they split two-two along those lines, with the owner reps wanting a suspension, and the player reps saying no.

The case then went to an arbitrator to break the tie, with the arbitrator determining that there was no violation, and thus there would be no suspension.

Hamilton is on the shelf anyway for the start of the 2015 season, and there was some thought that the Angels were in favor of Hamilton being suspended, since it would save them from paying at least a portion of the $23 million he is due in 2015.

Hamilton is under contract with the Angels through 2017, and will be paid $30 million per year in 2016 and 2017.