ARLINGTON, Texas — Seattle Mariners right fielder Nelson Cruz can understand why his former teammate, Josh Hamilton, viewed Texas as the best place to try to revitalize a star-crossed career.
“He had five years (in Texas) so, hopefully, that works out,” Cruz said Monday before the Mariners opened a three-game series against the Rangers at Globe Life Park. “I know he has good memories from here. So, hopefully, he can come back and be the player that he was.”
The Rangers held a news conference Monday afternoon to announce Hamilton’s return in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels for a player to be named later or cash.
Hamilton signed a five-year deal with the Angels for $125 million as a free agent after the 2012 season. The Angels agreed to pay most of the $80.2 million that remains on his contract.
“I’m back home,” he said. “I’m going to give everything I’ve got.”
Hamilton has yet to play this season while recovering from off-season shoulder surgery and a self-reported relapse into alcohol and cocaine use.
The Rangers said Hamilton will report Tuesday to their year-round complex in Surprise, Ariz., and likely be activated in mid-May. If so, the Mariners won’t see him until an Aug. 7-9 series at Safeco Field.
Cruz has good memories, too, from his eight seasons with the Rangers (2006-2013) before he departed last season to Baltimore as a free agent.
“Sure,” he agreed. “Anytime you go to the World Series twice, with a great group of guys, good memories.”
This is Cruz’s second trip back to Texas since his departure. He played three games here last June with the Orioles and recalls a warm response from the Texas crowd … “Until I hit the homer,” he said with a smile. “I’m a rival now.”
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