Rangers' Josh Hamilton Out for at Least Six Weeks
Stan McNeal - SportingNews.com
Apr 13, 2011
Rangers third-base coach Dave Anderson might think twice before sending home Josh Hamilton again on a foul pop.
Hamilton, last year's AL MVP, is expected to miss at least six weeks after suffering a broken bone in his right arm Tuesday afternoon when he slid head first into home after being sent on a foul pop in the first inning of the Rangers' 5-4 loss to the Tigers at Comerica Park.
Hamilton told reporters that the idea to go on the pop to third baseman Brandon Inge wasn't his. Hamilton, who had tripled in a run, was called out on the play. From the replay, you can see the 240-pound Hamilton landing hard.
On a conference call, GM Jon Daniels said he had no issue with Anderson sending Hamilton on the play.
"An aggressive play," Daniels said. "That's the style we've played and Wash (manager Ron Washington) pushes. You live and die with it, sometimes you're going to get thrown out. I don't think sending him had anything to do with (the injury). It's one of those freak things."
David Murphy, who filled in for Hamilton when he missed most of last September, figures to take over left field. Daniels said the club is calling up Chris Davis from Class AAA to take Hamilton's spot on the roster.
Specifically, Hamilton's injury was to the humerus bone at the top of the arm below the shoulder. The small, non-displaced fracture was detected on an MRI after not showing up in an initial X-Ray.
Daniels said Hamilton is not expected to swing a bat for four weeks.
Hamilton, limited to 133 games last season, has played in the Rangers' first 11 games. Before Tuesday's game, manager Ron Washington told reporters that the Rangers planned to give Hamilton the day off Wednesday. Texas has an off day Thursday before its weekend series at Yankee Stadium.
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