Josh Hamilton: Texas Rangers Slugger Hospitalized with Intestinal Virus

Texas Rangers star outfielder Josh Hamilton was hospitalized on Friday with an intestinal virus, according to Richard Durrett of ESPN Dallas.

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#Rangers Josh Hamilton hospitalized with intestinal virus. Leonys Martin up.

— Richard Durrett (@espn_durrett) June 15, 2012"

UPDATE: Saturday, June 16, 5:30 p.m. ET by Ben Chodos

ESPN's Richard Durrett has reported that the Texas Rangers are confident that Hamilton's illness had nothing to do with clubhouse conditions.

Durrett's article states that it more likely that Hamilton contracted the virus form a family member as the team's facilities are disenfected regularly.

Hamilton was the third player on the Rangers' roster to miss time due to stomach illness, raising the alarm about possible unsanitary conditions in the Texas locker room. As Durrett notes, pitcher Derek Holland and outfielder Nelson Cruz both suffered from flu-like symptoms.

But all three players are recovered from their illnesses now and no other cases of stomach viruses have been reported.

UPDATE: Saturday, June 16, 4:00 p.m. ET by Ian Hanford

Josh Hamilton is on the cusp of returning from the stomach illness that hospitalized the Ranger slugger on Friday. According to Fox Sports' Anthony Andro, Hamilton has been released from the hospital.

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Josh Hamilton is out of hospital and at home. Will work out Sunday and travel to San Diego with Rangers.

— Anthony Andro (@aandro) June 16, 2012"

This comes as quite a relief to the Rangers and their injury-plagued superstar. Losing Hamilton for a significant amount of time would hamper their offensive performance and diminish Hamilton's breathtaking statistical campaign.

Hamilton will, more than likely, take a few days to get his legs back under him, but Ranger fans can probably expect him back in the lineup early in the week.

UPDATE: Saturday, June 16, 10:10 a.m. ET by Donald Wood

After being hospitalized with a stomach illness, the Texas Rangers hoped power-hitting outfielder Josh Hamilton would be back for their series against the Astros. The team is reporting that he will not be ready.

MLB.com is reporting about the illness and the Rangers expectations that the slugger will not play this in the team’s weekend matchup:

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Hamilton was expected to be hospitalized 12-24 hours, but manager Ron Washington is planning on him not being ready to play against the Astros. The two teams open a three-game series on Friday night at the Ballpark in Arlington.

"We're going to miss Hamilton," Washington said Friday afternoon. "But we're going to continue to move forward and play baseball. You don't want your best player out of the lineup but there is nothing we can do about it. I'm not expecting him to play [Saturday]. After that we'll wait and see. We've got a day game on Sunday so he's probably gone for the weekend."

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While this may just be a precautionary step to ensure Hamilton’s long-term health, these are the kind of odd injuries and illnesses that have plagued the troubled star’s young career.

The hope is that this is something that can be treated quickly and easily and that the Rangers’ star doesn’t miss any substantial time. The team would be in trouble if he goes on the DL.

---------End of Update----------

As Durrett reports, Cuban prospect Leonys Martin will join the Rangers, but he will not be taking Hamilton's spot on the roster. According to MLB.com, Martin is replacing injured reliever Koji Uehara, who has been placed on the 15-day DL.

The report also states that Hamilton is only expected to be hospitalized for 12-24 hours, which is great news for the Rangers. The team will need him back at full strength, so they can continue to fight for the best record in the American League. 

Hamilton has a shot at winning the first AL Triple Crown since 1967. He is second in the league with a .320 batting average, tied for the lead in home runs with 22 and comfortably leads the pack with 62 RBIs.

Texas will begin an interleague series with the Houston Astros on Friday with a three-game lead over the Los Angeles Angels in the AL West. 

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