REPORT: (UPDATED) Angels could part ways with Hamilton in ‘matter of days’

Despite all their recent talk about putting Josh Hamilton on a program that would allow him to return to the Angels as soon as June, a Sports Illustrated report now claims via an “industry source” that team could part ways with Hamilton before that program even has a chance to go into effect:

Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton, who in February admitted to relapsing and abusing drugs and alcohol, may never play for Los Angeles again and could be gone from the team in a matter of days, according to an industry source.

This is such a shock! Oh, sorry, I forgot to use the sarcasm font that really needs to be invented. Despite their recent public statements, it always seemed unlikely that Hamilton would ever play for the Angels again. The question is whether or not Arte Moreno will be able to reduce the amount of money he still owes to Hamilton or not. As the article details, it is highly unlikely that the contract can be voided, but convincing Hamilton to forfeit a small percentage of the $83 million he is owed could at least be a possibility.

Obviously this is a situation that we’ll have to watch closely, especially given the Angels’ propensity for trying to sneak negative news out in the Friday later afternoon news lull.

UPDATE: Ken Rosenthal is hearing the same thing:

Sources: #Angels close to parting with Hamilton. First reported: http://t.co/u9r82n3M5N.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) April 24, 2015

UPDATE #2: And now the Angels’ own beat writer is confirming:

Can confirm, via source, that the #Angels and Josh Hamilton are close to parting ways. No word on exactly how just yet.

— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) April 24, 2015

It’s happening, folks. It is just a question of when now.