"The Milwaukee Brewers will know before the start of spring training whether all-star leftfielder Ryan Braun will be in their lineup on opening day.

People familiar with the history of the Major League Baseball drug testing program and arbitration process indicate the Brewers and Braun will not be kept guessing about his status until the team opens its spring camp Feb. 18 in Phoenix.

An arbitration hearing will take place this month to give Braun an opportunity to overturn a reported positive drug test in October for a banned substance that could result in a 50-game suspension. Delaying the verdict beyond a reasonable period would not be fair to either Braun or the Brewers, under the circumstances."