Hamilton's Balky Knee a Pain in the Butt for Rangers
By Richie Whitt ••
As Josh Hamilton returned from his second knee opinion in Alabama this morning, he arrived at Rangers’ Spring Training in Arizona on crutches. Now more than ever, the left-field position is in limbo.
The Rangers weren’t counting on the former AL MVP to play 162 games in the outfield, but news that his balky knee can’t even withstand the lead-up to full-squad workouts is alarming. Especially when the team hasn’t exactly bought the best of insurance policies.
Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine says slugger Josh Hamilton will be on crutches for a week or so and will not play until mid May due to knee problems.
It’s painfully clear that Hamilton, who has already undergone two surgeries since September, can’t be counted on as the everyday left fielder. At this point it’s iffy whether he can even be part of a platoon, or even a part-time DH. After the surgeries and a cortisone injection he experienced renewed soreness last week and sought the advice of noted orthopedist Dr. James Andrews.
So now what? Another surgery? Chronic pain? 100 games? 62 games?
While former Ranger/free agent David Murphy seems a viable option as a left-handed hitting left fielder, the team signed righty Justin Ruggiano as a free agent. Minor-league prospects include Nomar Mazara or Joey Gallo, but the Rangers seemed determined to make the latter slugger a 3rd baseman.
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TEMPE, AZ - MARCH 13: Joey Gallo #13 of the Texas Rangers signs autographs for fans prior to the spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium on March 13, 2016 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Infielder Prince Fielder #84 of the Texas Rangers reacts during the cactus leauge spring training game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Patrick Kivlehan #67 of the Texas Rangers in the dugout before the cactus leauge spring training game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Outfielder Nomar Mazara #30 of the Texas Rangers throws a ball during the cactus leauge spring training game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Manager Jeff Banister #28 of the Texas Rangers watches from the bench during the cactus leauge spring training game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Starting pitcher Colby Lewis #48 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of the cactus leauge spring training game at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Outfielder Delino DeShields #3 of the Texas Rangers catches a fly ball during the cactus leauge spring training game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Elvis Andrus #1 of the Texas Rangers on deck during the cactus leauge spring training game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Shin-Soo Choo #17 of the Texas Rangers during the cactus leauge spring training game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Rougned Odor #12 of the Texas Rangers during the cactus leauge spring training game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Ryan Rua #16 of the Texas Rangers bats against the Kansas City Royals during the cactus leauge spring training game at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Justin Ruggiano #25 of the Texas Rangers on deck during the cactus leauge spring training game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Tim Ciesco, NBC 5 Arlington Reporter
Yu Darvish is throwing again today. The Rangers ace is coming off Tommy John surgery.
Tim Ciesco, NBC 5 Arlington Reporter
Pitchers just walked out onto the field. Rangers say Yu Darvish may get some more work in today.
Tim Ciesco, NBC 5 Arlington Reporter
Cole Hamels putting in work too!
Tim Ciesco, NBC 5 Arlington Reporter
First practices are underway!
Tim Ciesco, NBC 5 Arlington Reporter
Adrian Beltre getting some batting practice in.
Pat Doney, NBC 5 Sports
Slugger Josh Hamilton on crutches in Surprise, Arizona, Feb. 24, 2016.
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers sits down during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers participates in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers practices during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers practices during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers throws during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers throws during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers signs autographs during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Colby Lewis #48 of the Texas Rangers signs autographs during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Cole Hamels #35 of the Texas Rangers throws during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Cole Hamels #35 of the Texas Rangers participates in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Manager Jeff Banister of the Texas Rangers participates in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Bench coach Steve Buechele of the Texas Rangers participates in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Bench coach Steve Buechele of the Texas Rangers participates in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers arrives to a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Texas Rangers pitchers and catchers participate in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Texas Rangers coaches, pitchers and catchers participate in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Colby Lewis #48 of the Texas Rangers participates in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers talks with fans during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish (second from right) of the Texas Rangers participates in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitchers Colby Lewis #48 and Cole Hamels #35 of the Texas Rangers participate in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Bench coach Steve Buechele of the Texas Rangers participates in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Pitchers Yu Darvish #11 and Martin Perez #33 of the Texas Rangers participate in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers throws during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Colby Lewis #48 of the Texas Rangers throws during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Pitchers Cole Hamels #35 and Martin Perez #33 of the Texas Rangers participate in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers throws during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers participates in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers signs autographs during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers participates in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers participates in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers participates in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers throws during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 04: Prince Fielder #84 of the Texas Rangers makes a play on a ground ball during the fifth against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Surprise Stadium on March 4, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. Game ended in a 3-3 tie. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 04: Elvis Andrus #1 of the Texas Rangers attempts to turn a double play as Joc Pederson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers slides into second base during the first inning at Surprise Stadium on March 4, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. Game ended in a tie 3-3. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
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TEMPE, AZ - MARCH 13: Joey Gallo #13 of the Texas Rangers smiles in the dugout during the spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium on March 13, 2016 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
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TEMPE, AZ - MARCH 13: General view of the spring training game between the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Tempe Diablo Stadium on March 13, 2016 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
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TEMPE, AZ - MARCH 13: Jake Diekman #41 of the Texas Rangers delivers a pitch in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels during the spring training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium on March 13, 2016 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Mitch Moreland #18 of the Texas Rangers bats against the Kansas City Royals during the cactus leauge spring training game at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Prince Fielder #84 of the Texas Rangers bats against the Kansas City Royals during the cactus leauge spring training game at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 04: Patrick Kivlehan #67 of the Texas Rangers celebrates with teammate Drew Robinson #68 after scoring a run during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Surprise Stadium on March 4, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. Game ended in a 3-3 tie. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
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TEMPE, AZ - MARCH 13: Joey Gallo #13 of the Texas Rangers hits a solo home run in the second inning during the spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium on March 13, 2016 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
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TEMPE, AZ - MARCH 13: Jurickson Profar #19 of the Texas Rangers makes the force out on Yunel Escobar #6 of the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning in the spring training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium on March 13, 2016 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
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TEMPE, AZ - MARCH 13: Joey Gallo #13 of the Texas Rangers signs autographs for fans prior to the spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium on March 13, 2016 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 04: Chi Chi Gonzalez #21 of the Texas Rangers delivers a warm up pitch prior to a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Surprise Stadium on March 4, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Delino DeShields #3 of the Texas Rangers bats against the Kansas City Royals during the cactus leauge spring training game at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Hamilton’s been a pain in the butt for this organization for years now. And with the pain in his knee, this spring is proving no different.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
