Rangers' Hamilton remains out with blurred vision
Still battling the effects of blurred vision, outfielder Josh Hamilton will not join the Rangers in
Seattle for the weekend series against the Mariners. The Rangers lost the opener of their three-game
series, 6-3.
Hamilton, who entered Friday as the AL home run leader, has not played since leaving the opener of the
series at Los Angeles Tuesday in the fourth inning with blurred vision. Hamilton said he believed the issue
was related to a sinus infection he may have picked up from his family. Doctors, however, have not found
any definitive cause for the issue.
After missing Wednesday's game, along with third baseman Adrian Beltre, Hamilton tried to talk his way
into the lineup Thursday. When he went on the field and started taking some fly balls and ground balls,
manager Ron Washington said he looked "out of sorts," and misjudged a fly ball. The team decided not to
push anything any farther. Hamilton left the field. He returned to Texas on Friday morning for further
evaluation.
The decision not to have him travel to Seattle means he will end up missing at least five games due to
the issue.
"My level of concern has not wavered on this," Washington said. "We want to do what we can to give him
peace of mind. If we can do that, we think then we can just go on. He will play for us again this year.
Don't worry about that."
Said GM Jon Daniels: "It's concerning any time one of our guys is out at this time of year. More so when
the doctors haven't found anything. At this point, we're just looking for the symptoms to dissipate so he
can get back out there. I've got a lot of faith in the team either way, but obviously we're better when
Josh is in the lineup."
