Rangers’ concern for Hamilton could lead to deal with Murphy

Josh Hamilton left spring camp Sunday to have another doctor examine his left knee Monday, leaving the Texas Rangers again uncertain as to what they will get from the outfielder and possibly more serious about adding outfield help.

One possibility is former Rangers outfielder David Murphy.

Hamilton was in Birmingham, Ala., for a second opinion from Dr. Jeff Dugas, who works at the clinic of famed orthopedist Dr. James Andrews. Hamilton was bothered almost all off-season by an inflamed capsule in the knee, and showed up to camp last week with it aching.

He went through a full workout Tuesday and has been taking batting practice in the cages just off the Rangers’ clubhouse. Rangers team physician Dr. Keith Meister examined Hamilton over the weekend.

Daniels didn’t seem too concerned about Hamilton, who is expected to return from Alabama late Monday, but the unknown is beginning to become a bigger issue.

“You’d like to have a better handle on what we can expect from him this year,” Daniels said.

The Rangers have been in contact with several free-agent outfielders in addition to Murphy. No official offer has been made to Murphy, who played with the Rangers from 2008 to 2013 and lives in Trophy Club, but the Rangers have talked to him about a minor-league deal.

That could be come a big-league deal should Hamilton’s knee require a surgery that would keep him out a significant stretch.

The Rangers have a deep pool of internal players who could play left field, a group that includes their top three prospects. The general thinking is that Joey Gallo, Nomar Mazara and Lewis Brinson won’t be able to contribute until later in the season.

Hence, the need for a veteran. The Rangers have also checked in with Drew Stubbs, who finished 2015 with them, as well as Ryan Raburn and Austin Jackson.

Those three are right-handed hitters, which could put them in a disadvantage to Murphy. But Stubbs and Jackson can play center field, something the Rangers would like to have.

This story was originally published February 22, 2016 at 11:20 AM with the headline "Rangers’ concern for Hamilton could lead to deal with Murphy."