ANAHEIM, Calif. — Josh Hamilton hopes to return to the Rangers’ lineup before the end of the regular season despite tests Tuesday revealing the Texas slugger has two broken ribs.
Hamilton is the majors’ leading hitter (.361), but the outfielder hasn’t played since crashing into a wall while making a catch Sept. 4 at Minnesota.
General manager Jon Daniels said Hamilton was given an anti-inflammatory injection and an epidural nerve-block injection for pain.
“It is typically 48 to 72 hours before it’s known whether this treatment has the desired effect,” Daniels said. “Once the discomfort recedes to a point where Josh is comfortable, he can return to baseball activities.”
Footnotes.
The Twins said an MRI on catcher Joe Mauer’s sore left knee shows only tissue inflammation and no structural damage. Manager Ron Gardenhire said Mauer might need a cortisone shot to help with the pain but expects him to be out for only a few more days.
• Padres infielder Jerry Hairston Jr. will be sidelined four to six weeks because of a stress fracture of his right tibia.
• Cardinals infielder Felipe Lopez was released a day after he was late arriving for a game against Florida.
The Associated Press
