Rangers put Hamilton on release waivers, will monitor progress

Josh Hamilton, the 2010 American League MVP, was placed on unconditional release waivers Tuesday by the Texas Rangers, who made the procedural move now so that he can be eligible to play for them on Opening Day next season if he makes the team as a non-roster invitee.

Hamilton, who was activated from the 60-day disabled list before the release, underwent reconstructive surgery on his left knee in early June. He spoke to reporters last month with a full understanding that the Rangers would likely release him and ask him to come back to the team next spring on a minor-league deal.

General manager Jon Daniels said that the move had to be made before Aug. 31 in order for Hamilton to be eligible to play for the Rangers next season before May 15. He and Hamilton spoke about this possibility previously and did so again Tuesday.

Daniels expects Hamilton to clear waivers later this week, at which time he will be a free agent and can sign with any team. The hope is that Hamilton is healthy and will sign a minor-league deal with the Rangers and be in spring training.

“I don’t know how it will play out,” Daniels said. “He’s not expected to be full cleared until December. We’ll maintain contact. We’ll monitor his progress. We’ll probably need to see him work out in December, along with other clubs.

“Josh has family reasons to be here, as well as the community. If he’s healthy and our roster is in a spot where we’d still like to have him back, I’m hopeful we can work that out. But that’s a couple steps down the line.”

The Rangers also recalled former closer Shawn Tolleson and placed him on the 60-day DL to create a spot on the 40-man roster so that Derek Holland could be activated from the 60-day DL and start Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds.

Tolleson, who had a herniated disk repaired in 2013, was on the DL at Triple A Round Rock with a lower-back issue. Daniels said that surgery has not been recommended but the injury is significant enough that Tolleson won’t pitch again this season.

This story was originally published August 23, 2016 at 4:12 PM with the headline "Rangers put Hamilton on release waivers, will monitor progress."