Major League Baseball is in the “very final stages” of its investigation on the Houston Astros and reports of electronic sign-stealing against the team, and “could announce discipline at any time,” according to SNY Network’s Andy Martino.

The league announced a probe against the Astros after reports surfaced last November that Houston had used illegal technology — including a camera positioned in centre field — to steal signs from opposing teams in 2017.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported on Jan. 7 that members of the organization expected MLB commissioner Rob Manfred to decide on whom to punish and how severely in the next couple of weeks.

Discipline for rule violations has included suspensions and even league bans in the past. Manfred said in November that he has broad authority to punish teams that steal signs electronically beyond fines, loss of draft picks and international signing bonus pool allocation.

Former Astros pitcher Mike Fiers was one of the key sources for Ken Rosenthal’s original report on the alleged sign-stealing scandal, published on The Athletic (subscription required). Fiers told Rosenthal that some members of the coaching staff and front office were involved in the scheme to relay pitches to hitters before they were thrown.

The Astros went on to win the 2017 World Series in seven games against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Boston Red Sox, World Series champions in 2018, were later accused of electronic sign stealing too and are being investigated by MLB.