Josh Hamilton is close to returning. Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
ARLINGTON, Texas — Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton is ready to get back on the field with a rehab assignment beginning Wednesday. The slugger joins Double-A Frisco with a target return set for June 29 at Baltimore.
Hamilton hasn’t played since May 30 after suffering a hamstring strain, and has made considerable progress in the last three-plus weeks.
“I feel good,” he said. “Me personally would probably already like to be back tomorrow, but we’re going to Toronto playing on the turf so they slowed me down, which is smart and probably a blessing in disguise.”
The Rangers head to Toronto on Friday after the three-game home series against Oakland ends. Hamilton has tested his hamstring during his stint on the DL, but will likely be a designated hitter during his stay with Frisco.
Despite the hamstring injury, Hamilton doesn’t plan to alter his all-out style.
“Once you do something like that and you go through all the strengthening stuff, you’re usually a little better than you started because you specifically focus on that one deal, on that one thing, the hamstring,” he said. “I’m not going to have it in my mind do less of anything.”
