Hamilton out with vision, sinus issues

Published Sep. 21, 2012 8:49 p.m. ET

foxsports

SEATTLE (AP) -- Josh Hamilton underwent further tests in Dallas on Friday to determine the extent of his sinus condition that has blurred his vision.
The Texas Rangers' outfielder, hitting .287 with a league-leading 42 home runs and 123 RBIs, tried to play Thursday's game in Los Angeles but it was clear before the game that he was not ready. Rangers manager Ron Washington said he was `out of sorts' during the pregame workout.
"We hit him a ground ball and he'd catch and spin and lost his balance. We're not messing with that," Washington said. "We hit a fly ball and he misjudged it. We're not messing with that. We got him off the field."
Hamilton did not play in the Rangers' last two games and will miss the three-game weekend series with the Mariners. He flew back to Texas earlier Friday and is expected to have more tests Saturday.
"My level of concern hasn't wavered from what it was," Washington said. "We just want to make sure we're doing everything we can do to ease his mind. Once he has peace of mind (about) what's going on, we'll be fine with Josh. He'll be fine."
The Rangers, who began the day with a four-game lead on Oakland in the AL West with 13 games remaining, also were without third baseman Adrian Beltre. He stayed behind in Los Angeles for a series of tests because of stomach issues. He was expected to fly to Seattle late Friday and be available for Saturday's game.
"They don't pay attention to it," Washington said about his team playing short-handed. "As long as we got nine guys to put out there on the field we're going to go out there, play together and try to win a ballgame together.
"We're not going to react to something we have no control over. We have no control that Beltre is not here and Hamilton is not here. We'll put nine guys out there and compete."