MLB PLAYER NEWS

Hamilton expects to start for Rangers on Tuesday

The Sports Xchange

June 29, 2015 at 10:21 pm.

Josh Hamilton is expecting to start Tuesday against the Orioles. Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

BALTIMORE — Josh Hamilton is ready to rejoin the Texas Rangers.

The veteran outfielder, on the disabled list since June 4 with a left hamstring strain, was with the team Monday at Camden Yards and had every intention of being in the lineup for the series opener against the Baltimore Orioles.

The team’s trainers, however, decided it would be prudent to give Hamilton an extra day of rest and hopefully get him back in the lineup Tuesday. It turned out the Rangers were just fine without him, as the offense finally awoke in an 8-1 victory over Baltimore.

Hamilton is focusing on taking shorter strides while running to take pressure off his injured leg, and it appears to be helping. He was optimistic about being activated for the second game of the series.

“I was looking to coming in and playing today,” Hamilton said, “but (the trainers) wanted to give me a recovery day after travelling, so I’m on board with that. I think the biggest thing is to stay on top of it.”

His return would be a huge boost to the Rangers’ lineup and outfield.

With Hamilton out, the Rangers went with Joey Gallo in left field, Leonys Martin in center and Shin-Soo Choo in right. That group has struggled at the plate. Choo (.232 average) did break out Monday, picking up three hits against the Orioles. Gallo (.218) also managed to hit his first career triple and had three RBIs. Martin (.222) went 1-for-4.

Hamilton could take over as the everyday center fielder. He played 95 games there for the Rangers in 2012. However, Hamilton played in center only sporadically with the Los Angeles Angels in 2013 and ’14.

When asked whether he was capable of playing center field, Hamilton replied, “Absolutely.”

For now, Hamilton is just focused on returning to the lineup. His goal is to manage the injury until the All-Star break and then start pushing harder in the second half of the season.

“Sometimes playing with it is the best thing for it,” Hamilton said. “I am on board with that.”

Hamilton was traded back to the Rangers from the Angels on April 27 in the aftermath of an offseason confession to a substance-abuse relapse.

He is simply ready to get back to playing baseball. Hamilton has played in just seven games for the Rangers this season and is batting .273 with two home runs and five RBIs.

“I want to be back and I want to play every day,” he said.