Josh Hamilton expected to sign minor league deal

Josh Hamilton is expected to sign a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers, according to T.R. Sullivan, now that his surgically repaired left knee has been medically cleared by the Rangers’ medical staff.

Hamilton missed all of 2016 due to the knee problem, which ultimately resulted in reconstructive surgery. Hamilton had, among other issues, a torn ACL which wasn’t discovered until doctors performed the surgery.

Hamilton will have an invitation to the major league camp as part of his minor league deal, and if Texas doesn’t add a legitimate bat or two, he could actually have a chance of making the major league roster, potentially as part of a left field platoon with Ryan Rua.

Hamilton signed a five year, $125 million contract with the Angels after the 2012 season, but a disastrous stint there resulted in him being shipped to Texas, along with a bunch of cash and with a restructured contract, in early 2015. The Rangers released him in August, 2016.

Hamilton has a career 865 OPS in 1027 major league games. Interestingly, former Ranger Rusty Greer, another guy whose career was cut short because of injury issues, also has a career 865 OPS in 1027 major league games.