Rangers Place Josh Hamilton on 15-Day DL

The Texas Rangers organization placed Josh Hamilton on the 15-day DL and were able to retro-act the move to April 25.  This means that he will be able to rejoin the team on May 12.

Hamilton went on the DL with a strained rib cage to his left side.  This is an injury that he has been dealing with since spring training. 

On April 21, when the team was in Toronto, Hamilton made a great catch and slammed into the center field wall.  When he slammed into the wall, his left arm folded underneath him and re-aggravated the strained muscles around his rib cage.

The team and Hamilton were both trying to avoid a trip to the DL and have him recover simply with time off and rest.  The team was reporting that Hamilton was showing significant improvement since last playing on Sunday when he entered the game as a pinch-hitter.

Unfortunately for Hamilton and the team, the move was necessary to make with the development of catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s eye irritation.  Salty started Thursday’s game, but was taken out early in the game due to the irritation.

With Salty likely out for a few more games, the team needed to bring up another catcher to help out backup catcher Taylor Teagarden.

Therefore, Hamilton was placed on the 15-day DL so that Triple-A Oklahoma City catcher Max Ramirez could be promoted.

Although the move is not something the All-Star slugger wants to hear, rest might be exactly what he needs to get out of his early slump.

Hamilton is currently hitting .242, with only two HRs and 10 RBI in the 18 games he has played.  Part of the reason for his slow start to the season could be due to the lingering issues he has had with the muscles around his rib cage.

Rest until May 12 might be exactly what he needs.