Josh Hamilton was hospitalized on Friday morning with an intestinal virus, and is expected to be released within the next 12-24 hours.
Hamilton is receiving intravenous fluids at an area hospital, and manager Ron Washington does not expect his star slugger to play this weekend against the Astros.
“We’re going to miss Hamilton, it’s the only feeling I have,” Washington said.
Hamilton left Thursday’s game with a stomach ache that Washington didn’t think was serious enough at the time to put Hamilton in the hospital.
The Rangers said this is not a similar virus that sidelined Nelson Cruz or any other players this season. They have sanitized the clubhouse, and feel it won’t affect other players.
Hamilton’s family has been sick, which is how he contracted the virus.
“Hopefully he gets better,” Michael Young said. “It’s not always smooth sailing. You’ve got to find a way to weather the storm, keep fighting, keep grinding away. That’s the nature of being in the big leagues.”
The Rangers recalled outfielder Leonys Martin from Triple A Round Rock, and he will start tonight in center field. The team placed reliever Koji Uehara on the disabled list with a strained right lat muscle.
Martin has batted .344 with five home runs, nine doubles and 22 RBIs in 31 games. He missed more than a month, May 2-June 6, after undergoing left thumb surgery.
The Rangers were going to make the Uehara move official on Saturday to clear a spot for starter Justin Grimm, but will make an additional move on Saturday.
Washington said that decision would be dependent on how the Rangers play and use their bullpen tonight.
-- Drew Davison
Comments