Hamilton says attempts to speak to Angels’ Moreno rejected

Texas Rangers' Josh Hamilton talks to Frisco RoughRiders manager Joe Mikulik during batting practice before a rehab baseball game, Saturday, May 16, 2015, at Dr. Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. (Jim Cowsert/The Fort Worth Star-Telegram via AP) MAGS OUT; (FORT WORTH WEEKLY, 360 WEST); INTERNET OUT Texas Rangers' Josh Hamilton talks to Frisco RoughRiders manager Joe Mikulik during batting practice before a rehab baseball game, Saturday, May 16, 2015, at Dr. Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. (Jim Cowsert/The Fort Worth Star-Telegram via AP) MAGS OUT; (FORT WORTH WEEKLY, 360 WEST); INTERNET OUT

By Associated Press May 16, 2015 1 min read

FRISCO, Texas (AP) – Josh Hamilton says he was rejected several times when he tried to speak to Angels owner Arte Moreno during the slugger’s disappointing two-year stint in Los Angeles.

The 2010 American League MVP who returned to the Rangers in a trade last month said Saturday he reached out during both sub-par seasons as a high-priced free agent. He said he tried again after self-reporting a drug relapse and undergoing shoulder surgery this year.

Hamilton says he was turned away by general manager Jerry DiPoto or team president John Carpino.

The comments from Hamilton came on the day he reported to Double-A Frisco for what figures to be his final rehabilitation assignment before returning to the majors with Texas.

Hamilton says his “hands are clean” in his dealings with the Angels.