The Texas Rangers and New York Mets will each get an important piece back in their lineups on Tuesday as two veterans are slated to return to MLB action.
Texas activated outfielder Josh Hamilton from the disabled list today after the 34-year-old missed about a month after suffering a hamstring strain on May 31, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. The team optioned top prospect Joey Gallo to Triple-A Round Rock as the corresponding move to make room for Hamilton.
Gallo was called up after third baseman Adrian Beltre hit the disabled list with a thumb injury and he remained with the team when Beltre was activated last week. However, despite Gallo's initial success, he ended up batting .218/.306/.448 with 13 runs scored, 5 home runs, 13 RBIs and 43 strikeouts in 98 plate appearances (25 games). General manager Jon Daniels did say his promotion would be for the short-term.
Hamilton will rejoin the Rangers after playing in only seven games since coming over in a trade from the Los Angeles Angels. He recently had a four-game rehab stint with Triple-A Round Rock and hopes to build off his initial success with the team earlier this year.
Over in New York, the Mets welcomed back infielder Daniel Murphy after a prolonged absence due to a strained left quad, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. The Mets have since shuffled around their infield since Murphy went down on June 4, but his return provides further stability, especially at the third base position.
Similarly, the Mets sent down prospect Dilson Herrera to Triple-A Las Vegas in their corresponding move. He also appeared in 25 games this season and was used mostly during the absences of Murphy and David Wright.
Anthony DiComo of MLB.com confirms Murphy will take over at third base (until Wright is activated) while Wilmer Flores shifts over to second base and Ruben Tejada handles shortstop.
The limping Mets' offense will get a boost with Murphy's return in tonight's series opener against the Chicago Cubs. The 30-year-old was batting .283/.335/.414/.749 with 16 runs scored, 4 home runs and 29 RBIs before hitting the DL and New York needs his help because they've score just 25 runs in their past 12 games.
