Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton has met with Major League Baseball officials amid reports the 33-year-old slugger suffered a drug and alcohol relapse, according to multiple reports Thursday.
Hamilton, a five-time All-Star and the 2010 American League Most Valuable Player, met with league officials Wednesday, confirmed the Angels, who appeared to be preparing for a possible suspension.
Right shoulder surgery figures to sideline Hamilton for at least the first month of the upcoming season anyway.
Hamilton was suspended from Major League Baseball from 2004 into 2006 for cocaine and alcohol issues and the New York Daily News reported that he has suffered a relapse in both areas during the off-season.
CBS Sports said Hamilton told major league officials about his relapse and the Los Angeles Times has reported that the Angels are preparing for a possible suspension.
Hamilton, who signed a five-year deal worth $US125 million ($A158m) with the Angels that began in 2013, has been staying with a friend in Houston while recovering from the operation and the Angels were not certain when or if he would arrive at the team's pre-season training camp.
A condition of Hamilton's reinstatement in 2006 was drug testing and, while he suffered alcohol relapses in 2009 and 2012, Hamilton helped the Texas Rangers reach the World Series in 2010 and 2011.
Hamilton has hit 31 homers and driven in 123 runs over the past two seasons for the Angels, but played in only 89 games last year.
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