|
 Hamilton took live batting practice for the first time this season
on Saturday. The Los Angeles Angels traded Hamilton back to the
Rangers last week after two disappointing seasons, including an
alcohol and drug relapse.
Hamilton faced left-hander Matt Harrison and right-hander Kohsuke
Tomita, and shagged balls in the outfield Saturday at the team's
spring training facility in Surprise, Arizona.
"He looked good," Harrison told reporters. "He's working his tail
off in every aspect out here."
Despite undergoing surgery on the right shoulder on Feb. 4 and
missing spring training, Hamilton is in good condition and has
impressed the Rangers thus far.
Hamilton, who turns 34 on May 21, returns to Texas where he played
five seasons before signing a five-year contract worth $125 million
with the Angels in December 2012. He helped the Rangers make
consecutive World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011, was the 2010
American League MVP and an All-Star in each of his five seasons with
Texas (2008-12).
Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said it is hard to pinpoint why
Hamilton spent five productive years in Texas but two disappointing
years in Anaheim.
"I certainly wouldn't want to say that we did certain things that
the Angels didn't," Daniels said. "It was just the environment and
the culture that Josh felt comfortable with here. I think we all
feel better in an environment that we think is comfortable for us."
- - -
The St. Louis Cardinals placed right-handed reliever Jordan Walden
on the 15-day disabled list Sunday, retroactive to April 30, due to
right bicep inflammation.
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Walden stopped warming up in the eighth inning Saturday. He is 0-1
with an 0.87 ERA in 10 1/3 innings, with 12 strikeouts.
The team also recalled right-handed reliever Sam Tuivailala from
Triple-A Memphis.
- - -
The Tampa Bay Rays placed outfielder Desmond Jennings on the 15-day
disabled list due to left knee soreness.
The move is retroactive to April 26. Jennings, 28, had missed five
games before being a last-minute scratch from Saturday night's game.
(Editing by Gene Cherry)
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