Major League Baseball and the player's association hope to reach a new drug agreement this week that would increase initial penalties for muscle-building steroids and decrease suspensions for some positive tests caused by unintentional use, according to sources.

The new agreement also would eliminate the loophole allowing Alex Rodriguez to earn almost $4 million during his season-long ban.

The sides hope to reach an agreement by Sunday, when the Los Angeles Dodgers open the U.S. portion of the major league schedule at the San Diego Padres.