Hamilton to Rejoin Rangers Monday Against LAA

Updated 9:30 AM CST, Mon, Jul 6, 2009

Print Email Share TWITTER FACEBOOK

Getty Images

Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton will be reinstated from the 15-day disabled list Monday, in time to return to Texas' lineup for the team's game against the Los Angeles Angels.

To make room for Hamilton, the Rangers will send struggling first baseman Chris Davis to Triple-A Oklahoma City to get his swing untracked. Davis is batting .202 and leads the majors with 114 strikeouts.

Hamilton, selected for his second All-Star game on Sunday, has completed his recovery from abdominal surgery. He played a doubleheader with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday in a minor league rehab assignment, going 2 for 7 in the two games, including a triple, double and stolen base.

"It's time for Josh to get back here and start doing something for us," manager Ron Washington said.

Hamilton went 4 for 27 in six minor league games, including one with Double-A Frisco. He was aiming to rejoin the Rangers on Saturday or Sunday, but the club wanted him to play in another game in the outfield, which Hamilton did in the opener of the doubleheader. Hamilton was the DH in the second game.

Hamilton went on the disabled list June 2 and had abdominal surgery a week later. He was injured when he smacked into an outfield wall while making a catch on May 17. That came less than a week after coming off an earlier stay on the DL due to a strained ribcage muscle from another collision with an outfield wall on another catch.

Hamilton, who hit .304 with 32 homers and an AL-high 130 RBIs last season, is batting .240 with six homers and 24 RBIs in 35 games this season. Earlier Sunday, he learned he'll make his second All-Star appearance.

In his first All-Star trip last year, Hamilton hit a record 28 homers in the first round of the Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium, including 13 in a row. Hamilton was voted in as a starter this year and said he'd play if he's healthy. He won't participate in the Home Run Derby, however, honoring a request by Washington.

Hamilton said his health is good.

"The physical part of the rehab is good," Hamilton said in a conference call from Oklahoma City. "I'm trying to do some things with my swing to get back on track. If I wasn't making progress every day, I'd be worried, but it's going good."

Washington said the injury is no longer an issue, but Hamilton might take a little while to regain his timing at the plate.

"He's fully recovered," Washington said. "He's not hurt anymore. He's just trying to get (his game) back together."

The Rangers hope Davis can regain the swing that produced 17 homers and 55 RBIs in 80 games as a rookie last season. He has 15 homers and 33 RBIs this season.

"Chris needs to get down there and get things together a little bit," Washington said. "More than anything else, it was Chris' interest we were thinking about. He needs to get to a less-pressure environment and get it back together. We know what he's capable of doing and as soon as he gets things together, we'll get him back here."

Hank Blalock, Texas' DH in 47 games this season, will take over at first base.

"When you're hitting .200 and leading the league in strikeouts, it's kind of hard to say it caught you off guard," Davis said. "I really appreciate how long they stuck with me. I think they stuck with me more than they really had to.

"I think it's one thing after another -- mechanics, mental -- whatever it may be, we've made a lot of adjustments with the mental approach. What I'm doing's not working and we're going to find out what that is and try to assess the problem."