Josh Hamilton limited to pinch hitting duties for the rest of the year

Josh Hamilton is expected to be limited just to pinch hitting duties for the rest of the season, according to the beat guys on Twitter.

Hamilton, who is being activated from the disabled list tomorrow, is dealing with a sore knee that the team expects will keep him from playing the field or running well the rest of the year.  The beats say that offseason surgery is a possibility.

That means that, once rosters expand tomorrow, the Rangers' outfield options will consist of Will Venable, Delino DeShields, Shin-Soo Choo, Joey Gallo, Ryan Strausborger and Drew Stubbs.  Leonys Martin, who had surgery on his hand, is expected to be out much of September.  Leonys has indicated that he is hoping to return in September, but with the Rangers needing to clear a couple of 40 man roster spots, he appears to be in danger of being put on the 60 day d.l. to clear a roster spot.

Should the Rangers make the playoffs, they will face a potentially difficult decision on the playoff roster if Hamilton is still limited.  Texas already has three players -- Prince Fielder, Mike Napoli and Mitch Moreland -- who are limited to playing first base, and I'm not sure they can afford to burn a bench spot in the playoffs on someone who would strictly be a pinch hitter.