Rangers likely to activate Hamilton from DL on Tuesday
The Texas Rangers could have outfielder Josh Hamilton in their lineup on Tuesday, but will not have access to the slugger's full capabilities upon his return.
Hamilton is likely to be activated from the disabled list on Tuesday, but he may be relegated to a pinch-hitting role, due to the inflammation in his right knee.
"Hitting and throwing, it feels good on the knee," Hamilton told reporters. "But I haven't gotten to the point where I can do important things, like run and jog. Hopefully, that is the next step. I came in feeling bad with no improvement for two weeks, and then all of a sudden, I came in and said, 'Hey, let me go swing a bat.'
"Hopefully, from the running aspect, that's what I'm looking for. I'm not looking for full speed; hopefully, I can jog enough to pinch-hit. But in the outfield, I need to be 75 to 80 (percent) to be in the outfield. If I can be 35 to 40 percent, I'll be OK to pinch-hit. But at this point I don't want to do anything that will stop me from moving forward."
The 34-year-old, who has been on the DL since Aug. 16, has experienced most of his pain when he is forced to run, so the pinch-hitting assignment makes sense.
A plethora of injuries - including knee, hip, and groin ailments - have limited Hamilton to just 39 games for Texas this season.
Hamilton is hitting .254/.296/.726 with six home runs and 21 RBIs in his first season back with the Rangers.