CINCINNATI (AP) – The Texas Rangers placed Josh Hamilton on unconditional release waivers Tuesday, though they hope his surgically rebuilt left knee is healthy enough to allow him to try for a spot with the team next season.
Texas activated Hamilton off the 60-day disabled list and put him on waivers, a move that was expected. The 35-year-old outfielder had surgery on June 8 to reconstruct his ACL and repair cartilage damage. He’s hoping to be ready for spring training.
It was Hamilton’s third operation on the knee since September.
“We plan to monitor Josh’s progress as he continues his rehab process and is medically cleared this winter,” general manager Jon Daniels said. “Given the (contract) rules in place, releasing him before the end of this month allows us to keep the door open to extending the relationship in the future.”
Hamilton was the first overall pick in the 1999 June draft, but drug addiction nearly ruined his life and his career. He returned to baseball with the Cincinnati Reds in 2007 and showed the promise that was nearly destroyed by drugs, batting .292 in 90 games with 19 homers and 47 RBIs.