UPDATE: Hamilton finished 0-for-3 with a run scored, a walk and two strikeouts in the Rangers' 10-8 win over the Indians.
Josh Hamilton is back, ladies and gentlemen. He'll be making his 2015 MLB season debut with the Texas Rangers on Memorial Day.
Hamilton is starting in left field and batting fifth against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field today at 4:10 p.m. ET. The 34-year-old was on a 12-game rehab assignment with Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock as he recovered from shoulder surgery. He batted .364/.391/.545/.937 with nine runs scored, one home run and six RBIs.
The former AL MVP has had a tumultuous offseason, which began with him undergoing shoulder surgery to repair a damaged AC joint. He was then embroiled in a controversy regarding a relapse with drugs and alcohol, which ultimately ended up with him being traded from the Los Angeles Angels to Texas.
Hamilton last played for the Rangers back in 2012. After that season he departed Texas for the Angels when Los Angeles offered him a five-year, $125 million contract. However, the slugger was a big disappointment for the Angels and batted just .255/.316/.426 with 116 runs scored, 31 home runs and 123 RBIs in 240 games.
Rangers' general manager Jon Daniels went ahead and acquired Hamilton in late April after the Angels' management was critical of the outfielder's offseason relapse. Texas is on the hook for only $6 million while the Angels will cover the remaining $63 million on Hamilton's deal.
We'll be keeping updates on Hamilton's debut. Stay tuned.
