Los Angeles Angels OF Josh Hamilton diagnosed with bone bruise on thumb

Earlier in the day on Sunday, the Los Angeles Angels received the unfortunate news that their recovering slugger, Josh Hamilton, had sustained a setback in his rehabilitation. However, it appears as if they may have dodged a bullet, as Hamilton has reportedly been diagnosed with a bone bruise that will only keep him out of his rehabilitation for a short period of time.

Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com reports Hamilton’s new diagnosis, and Hamilton was quoted as saying the following about the play where he sustained the damage:

"“It just got in on me a little bit,” Hamilton said of getting jammed on Thursday. “It probably would’ve almost been better if the bat had shattered, instead of absorbing all the force of it. And the splint I was wearing — it was probably going to be my last day wearing it — probably prevented my thumb from absorbing it like it should have. So it took more of the brunt and force.”"

Hamilton hasn’t appeared in a Major League game since he tore a ligament in his thumb on April 8th, but hopefully for the sake of the Angels, this latest issue won’t keep him off the field for long. Prior to the injury, the left-handed slugger was mashing the ball to the tune of a .444/.545/.741 slash line and two home runs in just 33 plate appearances, and if he can regain that form quickly, it would be a huge lift for Los Angeles.