Texas Rangers put Josh Hamilton on waivers, but return in 2017 is possible
The Texas Rangers made a calculated move to put outfielder Josh Hamilton on unconditional release waivers on Tuesday, ending the slugger's second stint with the team.
For now, at least.
General manager Jon Daniels said the move had to be made now or Hamilton wouldn't be allowed to play for the Rangers until after May 15 next season, per MLB's contract rules.
Hamilton, who in June underwent his third surgery on his left knee since last September, isn't even expected to be cleared for workouts until sometime in December.
Daniels also says the team discussed the move with the 35-year-old Hamilton and still holds out hope he can return and help the Rangers in the future.
"I'm hopeful that if he's healthy and our roster is in a spot where we'd still like to have him back, we can work it out. But that's still a few steps down the line," Daniels said in a conference call.
"We've talked about it for a period of time, and he understands why we did it."
Hamilton, a former No 1 overall pick who has battled drug addiction, left the Rangers as a free agent to join the Los Angeles Angels after the 2012 season. The Angels signed him to a five-year, $125 million deal, but traded him back to Texas last season -- picking up all but $2 million of his remaining two years of salary.
After his return, the 2010 AL MVP appeared in just 50 games for the Rangers in 2015 and then opened the 2016 season on the DL.
