Manfred hopes to complete Red Sox probe by next week

Major League Baseball's report on the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scheme was published over three weeks ago, but its investigation into the Boston Red Sox is still ongoing. Commissioner Rob Manfred hopes the decision comes down soon.

"I'm hopeful I can get Boston done before the camps open," Manfred said Thursday, according to Erik Boland of Newsday. "I'd like to have this over. Investigations are funny. You think you know what the timeline is but that's a day-to-day prediction."

Spring training camps officially open for pitchers and catchers Feb. 10. Position players begin reporting Feb. 15, and the first spring game is scheduled for Feb. 21.

On Jan. 13, MLB published a nine-page report finding the Astros guilty of illegally stealing signs. Among the imposed punishments, manager AJ Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow were both handed one-year suspensions, the team was stripped of its first- and second-round selections in the next two drafts, and the club was fined $5 million.

Former Red Sox manager Alex Cora was heavily implicated in the report and, despite not being formally penalized, subsequently parted ways with his employers.

The punishments issued against the Red Sox are expected to be harsh.