It’s official: Josh Hamilton will join Rangers on Monday
The Texas Rangers have set a time and a place for Josh Hamilton’s return.
Speaking on Saturday night, general manager Jon Daniels confirmed that Hamilton will be activated and available for duty when they meet the Cleveland Indians on Monday at Progressive Field. Hamilton is scheduled to fly into Cleveland on Sunday where his teammates will meet him following their Sunday night game against the New York Yankees.
Hamilton was scheduled to play one final rehab game for the Triple-A Round Rock Express on Saturday night. That game was postponed by rain, but the Rangers elected to stick to their plan to activate Hamilton on Monday, citing that he’d proven himself to be ready physically.
Hamilton finishes his 12-game rehab stint with a .364/.391/.545 batting line between Round Rock and Double-A Frisco. He homered in his final game with Frisco on Wednesday and delivered five doubles in 44-at bats. He struck out 10 times.
Hamilton was traded back to the Rangers on April 26 after a falling out with the Los Angeles Angels over his admitted relapse involving drugs and alcohol. He’ll play his first game back in Arlington on Thursday against the Boston Red Sox.
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An independent arbitrator decided Hamilton should not be suspended after the commissioner’s office and the player’s union were deadlocked on disciplinary action for a violation to MLB’s drug-treatment program. That means Hamilton has been eligible to play all season, but he was also recovering from February shoulder surgery.
He’s healthy now though, and he’s expected to earn regular playing time in left field, where the Rangers have mixed and matched with five different players this season.
Big League Stew will be following Hamilton’s return closely, so be sure to check back for updates leading up to and during his return.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
