MLS hopes season will start on time

BOSTON — Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber says he is still hopeful the season will start on time, even as the professional soccer league and its players head into the last week of their offseason without a collective bargaining agreement.

“We had hoped that by now this would have been resolved,” Garber said on Friday at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference.

“I’m hopeful. I believe, and I know I speak for our owners ... nobody’s looking for a work stoppage. We are prepared for it, but we’re all hopeful that we are able to bang through these issues.”

The league’s contract with its players expired Jan. 31.

Hamilton relapses, could be suspended

LOS ANGELES — Josh Hamilton has suffered a relapse in his battle with substance abuse, and he is likely to be suspended by Major League Baseball.

That is where the Hamilton situation stood Friday, two days after the Angels outfielder met with MLB officials in New York. The Angels, already preparing to open the season without their injured outfielder, were uncertain how long Hamilton might be suspended and when the league might announce its decision. Hamilton overcame an addiction to cocaine and alcohol to become a five-time All-Star with the Texas Rangers. His relapse was confirmed to a Los Angeles Times reporter by a person with knowledge of the situation. The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, did not specify what substance or substances were involved.

Commissioner Rob Manfred is expected to determine Hamilton’s punishment after consultation with the players’ union. Hamilton is known to have failed at least six drug tests as a minor leaguer more than a decade ago, and he was suspended from 2004 to ‘06.

Pierre retires after 14 seasons in MLB

MIAMI — Outfielder Juan Pierre announced his retirement Friday after a 14-year career in the majors that included a World Series championship with the 2003 Florida Marlins.

Pierre, 37, ranks 18th in career stolen bases with 614. He was a .295 hitter who finished with 2,217 hits.

“I do have one regret,” Pierre tweeted. “I finished with 18 home runs. Really wanted to get 20, so if any team wants to sign me for 3yrs, that should be enough time.”

Pierre broke into the majors in 2000 with the Rockies.