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Friday-Afternoon Rangers Notes, Including Hamilton Update

Posted on July 3rd, 2009 5:02pm by Jeff Miller
Filed under Baseball, Rangers notes, Texas Rangers

ARLINGTON - Rangers manager Ron Washington indicated Friday afternoon that Josh Hamilton hasn’t yet shown timing at the plate in his minor league rehab at-bats that would earn him his way back into the Rangers’ lineup. Hamilton is scheduled to play for Triple-A Oklahoma again on Friday night.

“He’s definitely have to start having better at-bats,” Washington said. “We’ll wait and see how things go tonight and determine that.” In five games with Oklahoma and Double-A Frisco, Hamilton has gone 4-for-20 with five strikeouts. The RedHawks will play at Iowa on Friday night, then return home to play Saturday night to open an eight-day homestand.

“I don’t care about hits; I care about at-bats,” Washington said. “How well is his timing? He can’t come back without good timing. This isn’t Triple-A.”

• Nelson Cruz is back in Friday night’s lineup, hitting sixth, after leaving Wednesday night’s game with back stiffness. Washington said Cruz received treatment on Thursday and arrived at the park on Friday ready to go. Cruz hurt his back sliding into the plate in the fourth inning and, when preparing to bat in the sixth, couldn’t swing freely.

• Vicente Padilla is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday. On Wednesday night, he asked that his next start be pushed back from Friday. He’s now scheduled to go Tuesday in the second game at Anaheim. Washington said there are no plans to place him on the disabled list.

• Tampa Bay has changed starters for Sunday’s series finale against Scott Feldman. Out is Jeff Niemann (7-4, 3.95), and in is Matt Garza (6-5, 3.45). Each is a righty.

11 Comments to “Friday-Afternoon Rangers Notes, Including Hamilton Update”

dcoy @ July 3rd, 2009 at 5:22 pm

Last time I checked a guy like Hamilton shouldn’t have to earn his way back into a lineup that up until a few nights ago was less than stellar. If he has conditioning problems or is still a little hurt it is one thing but I hope, Evan it was just a phrase that you used and that Ron didn’t actually say Hamilton needed to earn his way back into the lineup. I hope he doesn’t have to reprove himself to the club like Frankie apparently needed to do after he came back. I did not think a starter lost their spot due to injury, performance yes, not injury.
dcoy @ July 3rd, 2009 at 5:23 pm

I mean jeff not evan sorry
Matt ryan @ July 3rd, 2009 at 5:29 pm

So…Hamilton will not be back tomorrow?
Tom B @ July 3rd, 2009 at 5:32 pm

How you ever going to see New York in October with your best man down on the farm?
Jeff Miller @ July 3rd, 2009 at 5:44 pm

@Matt ryan: Based on what Washington said this afternoon, Hamilton would have to show them something different tonight to show that he could considered for Saturday.
David in Cleburne @ July 3rd, 2009 at 6:10 pm

Hmm. 4 for 20 with five strikeouts in AAA? I support Wash on this one. Pro sports is supposed to be performance based, right?

But then, my argument is invalidated by the Chris Davis case…
Gottago @ July 3rd, 2009 at 6:16 pm

It’s time for Warsh to hit the ****ing road, the guy should not be allowed to make decisions about what to eat in a clubhouse much less when Hamilton should be back
Bill @ July 3rd, 2009 at 6:21 pm

Actually he’s 2 for 15 this week. Are they adding in bats from his previous rehab stint earlier this year? I’ve been listening to the games online and he’s not hitting anything very hard.
Old Tom @ July 3rd, 2009 at 9:36 pm

As always, Wash is not a great communicator, but I agree with him here. David is right, they need to use the same thinking with Davis.
Old Tom @ July 3rd, 2009 at 9:39 pm

Ditto in deciding when Frank goes back to being the closer.
BBFan @ July 4th, 2009 at 2:21 pm

I say leave Hamilton at AAA until he hits.
He wasn’t hitting when he got hurt.

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