"Had the date of Ryan Braun's appeal hearing not leaked to the media, one would have no way of knowing that the recommended deadline for rendering a verdict is near.

But, just as the positive drug test of the Milwaukee Brewers' star leftfielder leaked, so did the hearing dates. Braun appealed that result and pending 50-game suspension before a three-man arbitration panel in New York City on Jan. 19-20.

Major League Baseball's drug policy states that the panel chair, in this case Shyam Das, "shall make all reasonable efforts" to render a verdict within 25 days following the opening of the hearing. The 25th day after the hearing opened would be Monday.

That recommendation is not rigid, however. Das could ask for an extension if necessary, which some familiar with the process say could happen. There has been no indication a verdict will come down as early as Monday.

The 25-day recommendation is geared more toward in-season hearings, when games are at stake. With Braun's hearing taking place in the off-season, there isn't as much urgency.

Das might consider the opening of spring training more of a de facto deadline for rendering a decision. It would not be fair to Braun or the Brewers to have him report to camp not knowing his fate.

Brewers pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report in Phoenix next Saturday but other players do not have to show until Feb. 24. Thus, Das could wait until just before that date to render his verdict if he needs the time. The other members of that panel are Rob Manfred, MLB vice president for labor relations, and Michael Weiner, executive director of the players association."