Josh Hamilton nearing return to big leagues with Rangers

Three weeks after being acquired in a trade with the Angels, Josh Hamilton is getting close to being added to the Rangers’ lineup.

Hamilton is recovering from February shoulder surgery and will play weekend games with the Rangers’ Double-A affiliate in Frisco. After a day of rest on Monday he will play on Tuesday and Wednesday with the Triple-A club. After those four-game the Rangers will determine whether to activate him or give him more time in the minors.

Hamilton, 33, was a five-time All Star and the 2010 American League MVP with the Rangers between 2008 and 2012. He signed a lucrative free-agent deal with the Angels before the start of the 2013 season but played just 240 games in Anaheim. The Angels dealt Hamilton to the Rangers for a player to be named later or cash, in part because of a relapse in his battle with drug addiction.

The Rangers are five games below .500, and could use Hamilton to boost their offense. Here’s Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News on what Hamilton will bring to their lineup:

“I have no idea what Hamilton will provide the Rangers, but I expect he’ll give them more than they are getting from the No. 2 spot in the lineup. . . The Rangers rank last in the AL and 29th of 30 teams in the majors in OPS (.533) from the No. 2 spot. They have the lowest slugging percentage (.263). The Rangers need to move Elvis Andrus out of the No. 2 spot and down in the order and they have no really attractive options other than to put Hamilton or Mitch Moreland there. One will hit second. One will hit five. The Rangers lineup will be better off for it.”

The Rangers will be better off for it, and so will Hamilton himself. Here’s hoping he can return to form with the Rangers and continue to write his story of redemption.

More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:

Ian Denomme is an editor and writer for Yahoo Sports. Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter.