Josh Hamilton Will Have Shoulder Surgery

Los Angeles Angels slugger Josh Hamilton could be out for two months after surgery on his right shoulder, putting in doubt his availability for opening day.

Hamilton will have surgery to repair his AC joint on Wednesday, the Angels announced.

The 2010 AL MVP needs surgery to fix a shoulder that has been bothering him since last September. The Angels open April 6 at Seattle and it's uncertain whether the left fielder will be ready.

Hamilton felt renewed pain in his shoulder last week after increasing the intensity of his offseason workouts, and the club decided on surgery at the Texas Metroplex Institute for Sports Medicine and Orthopedics.

Full recovery will take six to eight weeks, but Hamilton could resume baseball activities in one month.

The 33-year-old Hamilton hasn't played at an MVP level since joining the Angels on a $125 million, five-year contract as a free agent before the 2013 season. He has 31 homers and 123 RBIs in two years for Los Angeles, and was booed regularly by his home fans late last season.

The shoulder injury, along with pain in his ribs and back, likely contributed to Hamilton's 0-for-13 postseason performance. The Angels, who were swept out of the division series by Kansas City after finishing the regular season with the majors' best record.

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Hamilton also tore a ligament in his thumb last April after sliding headfirst into a base, missing more than seven weeks.

He had planned to begin spring training workouts with the Angels' pitchers and catchers on Feb. 20 in Tempe, Arizona. He missed much of last season's spring training while recovering from an injured calf.

Hamilton usually plays left field for the Angels, but newly acquired Matt Joyce and returnee Collin Cowgill are likely to replace him.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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