ARLINGTON, Texas –- Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton will try to fight through a respiratory infection and play Tuesday night against Seattle. But first he has to make it through batting practice.
Hamilton was given Monday night off to recover from what he said was a sinus infection and respiratory infection. However, he said the time off hasn't made a difference.
"Not any better, I just feel bad," Hamilton said before heading out to batting practice. "It's not going to get any worse, so I'll just go out and play and see what happens."
How Hamilton performs during batting practice, which was conducted in 93 degree heat and 40 percent humidity, will determine whether he stays in the lineup.
"I talked to him and he said he was going to try, so I put him in the lineup," manager Ron Washington said. "I don't know what that heat's going to do to him when he goes out there, but if it drains him, I will remove him and give him another day. If he makes it through, he'll stay in the lineup. So we'll just have to wait and see."
Hamilton said it was a "combined decision" to put him back in the lineup. He was able to hit a walk-off home run Sunday while dealing with the infections, but said he was dizzy and seeing stars during the game.
As much as he's determined to play, Hamilton admits he is concerned how the illnesses will affect his performance.
"You're always concerned about it, but you get paid to play baseball, you go out and play. Unless you've got something broken, or throwing up or other things," Hamilton said.
"I'm not going to get any worse. There's always ways to figure out how to deal with things, being sick, injured, whatever."
Hamilton shagged fly balls and took his cuts in the batting cage like normal, but the final decision on his status won't be known until closer to Tuesday's 7:05 p.m. (Central) start time.
"He'll let me know," Washington said. "And if he can't go, I'll just remove him. If he can go, he'll stay in there. But I wasn't going to not put my lineup out, because I want those guys (the rest of the team), when they walk in here, to know what's going on."
Even if he doesn't play, it won't be a relaxing night for Hamilton.
"I feel like my eyes are about to pop out," Hamilton said. "I've dealt with it before, just not everything hitting you at the same time. It'll be fine. Just hopefully I can stay not dizzy and catch balls."
