Texas Rangers News: Josh Hamilton Set To Return On Monday
In an offseason and Spring Training that involved an injury, substances issues, and divorce, outfielder Josh Hamilton is preparing for a return to the major league diamond as the former Los Angeles Angel will be activated on Monday, according to Jeff Wilson of the Forth Worth Star-Telegram.
#Rangers will activate Josh Hamilton on Monday. He will fly to Cleveland on Sunday and meet the team there.
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilson_FWST) May 24, 2015
Hamilton, 34, will be inserted into the same lineup he anchored for five seasons in Texas after the team re-acquired their former MVP and perennial All-Star candidate amid a myriad of issues. In a career that was halted due to issues with multiple substances, Hamilton suffered a relapse that put his future in doubt.
During his 12-game rehab assignment, Hamilton hit .364/.391/.545 as he split time between Round Rock and Double-A Frisco. He did better against Double-A pitching as he went 9-for-17, whereas he ended up with just seven hits in 29 at-bats.
The Angels decided that they want to part ways with Hamilton, the same player they committed five years and $125 million to prior to the 2013 season. However, that investment proved to not be wise as in two seasons in Anaheim, Hamilton delivered numbers below his career standards, only going yard 31 times while averaging a batting average of just .256.
A far cry from his 2012 season in which the Raleigh, North Carolina, native posted a .285 batting average with 43 HR and 128 RBI through 148 games in Texas. With his trade value at an all-time low, the Angels traded Hamilton for either cash or a player to be named later.
Rangers general manager Jon Daniels spoke to Jeff Wilson regarding Hamilton’s progress, giving a positive indicator that his outfielder will return to be productive ways.
“Josh is physically and game ready to get started.”
Once Hamilton steps into the batters box on Monday in Cleveland, his presence will add another dangerous hitter to a lineup that is catching fire. First baseman Prince Fielder is enjoying a spectacular rebound season after undergoing neck surgery in 2014. Fielder is hitting a torrid .351 with eight HR and 30 RBI. Outfielder Shin-Soo Choo is enjoying a strong May and is hitting .238 with seven HR and 22 RBI.
Incumbents Mitch Moreland and Adrian Beltre are also having strong seasons, therefore if Hamilton can replicate the numbers from years past, the Rangers would be one elite starting pitcher away from being one of the more dangerous teams in the American League.
[Image by Tom Pennington/Getty Images]
