Hamilton plays first extended spring training game for Rangers

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Josh Hamilton played in extended spring training for the Texas Rangers on Monday, his first game of any kind since last October.

Hamilton struck out once and hit three grounders to first base in Arizona, a week after the Los Angeles Angels completed a trade that sent to slugger back to Texas. He played three innings in left field.

“Seeing live pitching, getting his timing down, all those sort of things are going to take some time,” Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. “But physically, the shoulder, the reports that we’re getting, you can’t tell there was an issue. He seems to be 100 percent, running well, throwing well.”

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Hamilton had not played in a game since last fall, when he was hitless in 13 at-bats as the Angels were swept by Kansas City in the AL division series. He had offseason shoulder surgery, and had a self-reported relapse with alcohol and cocaine.

Daniels, who compared Monday’s game to the first intrasquad in the first week of spring training, said the 2010 AL MVP and five-time All-Star will remain in Arizona several more days before joining Round Rock, the organization’s Triple-A team based just outside of Austin, Texas.

“The swing, the bat speed, all those things that you would expect to see from him have been there,” Daniels said.

Round Rock is playing a series in Omaha through Thursday, then has a four-game set in Nashville through Monday. The Express then are back home.

The Rangers have said Hamilton will spend 10-14 days at Triple-A, meaning he could be back in the majors the second half of this month. Hamilton has been in Arizona since last Tuesday.

After surgery on Feb. 4, Hamilton never report to spring training with the Angels. He did his shoulder rehabilitation in the Houston area.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Milkar Perez of the Everett AquaSox prepare to catch a ball at Funko Field on May 26, 2025 (Photo courtesy of Evan Morud / Everett AquaSox)
AquaSox comeback bid falls short

Everett hits two solo homers in the ninth but loses 4-3 to Spokane.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for May 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for May 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) reacts after scoring in the fourth quarter. (Carlos Gonzalez / The Minnesota Star Tribune / Tribune News Services)
Jerry Brewer: Foul artists have ruled the NBA playoffs

John Wall had a theory about foul-baiting NBA stars. The former Washington… Continue reading

Shorewood's Meiron Bereket dribbles past Bellevue's Masora Takashima during a 3A State boys soccer quarterfinal game on May 24, 2025 at Shoreline Stadium. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Shorewood boys soccer clinches first state semifinal in 11 years

The No. 1 Stormrays prevailed 7-6 in penalties over No. 8 Bellevue after a scoreless match.

Prep state tournament results and schedule

Here’s a look at what’s happening this postseason.

Jackson players celebrate teammate MJ Holcomb scoring during the game against Edmonds-Woodway on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
State prep baseball roundup for Saturday

Timberwolves win two, bound for state semis.

(From left to right) Erica Wheeler, Gabby Williams and Zia Cooke approach the bench during a 102-82 win over the Las Vegas Aces on May 25, 2025 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. (Photo courtesy of Seattle Storm)
Storm wins three straight, Loyd returns to Seattle

The Storm beat Las Vegas 102-82 on Sunday by dishing out a season-high 32 assists.

Snohomish junior Abby Edwards delivers a pitch during the Panthers' 3-2 loss to Liberty in the 3A State Softball semifinals in Lacey, Washington on May 24, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Snohomish softball falls in the 3A state semifinal

The Panthers miss out on third straight championship appearance with 3-2 loss to Liberty.

Edmonds-Woodway's Alex Plumis wards off Monroe's Cody Duncan during a 3A State second-round game on May 23, 2025 at Mercer Island High School. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Edmonds-Woodway boys soccer stuns Monroe with shootout win at State

The No. 11 Warriors won penalties 4-3 after a thrilling 2-2 game.

Snohomish boys and girls win 3A district track titles

Kamiak boys second, Lake Stevens girls third at 4A bi-district meet.

The Jackson High School softball team celebrates after defeating Skyline in the first round of the Class 4A state tournament at Columbia Playfields in Richland, Wash. on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Kyle Peacocke / Jackson H.S. Athletics)
State prep softball roundup for May 23-24

Jackson softball reaches state semis for sixth straight year

Stanwood sophomore Olivia Dahl strikes out to end the game, a 5-4 loss to Garfield in the 3A State Softball quarterfinals in Lacey, Washington on May 23, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Stanwood softball shocked in 3A state quarterfinal

The top-seed Spartans fall 5-4 to No. 8 Garfield after allowing three runs in the sixth.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.