Josh Hamilton reportedly needs another knee exam

Oct 3, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers left fielder Josh Hamilton (32) follows through on his solo home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the second inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports /

The Texas Rangers took a low-risk flier on Josh Hamilton this spring, but problems are already beginning to surface.

At 35 years old, the body simply doesn’t hold up like it once did for pro athletes. Josh Hamilton is no different. The first-overall pick in the 1999 MLB Draft is headed back to Texas for an examination on his left knee, according to ESPN. Hamilton has been bothered by the knee since last year, missing the entire season following surgery on it.

Hamilton might be facing retirement at this point. He doesn’t have a guaranteed contract for this season and considering the plethora of injuries he’s sustained, Texas might simply look to move on via younger talent.

Should this be the end of his road, Hamilton has one hell of a story. After battling through drug addictions that almost ended his career before it began, Hamilton rebounded to win an American League MVP award (2010) along with five All-Star Game appearances.

For his career, Hamilton is a .290 hitter with 200 home runs and 701 RBI. He hit .359 with 32 homers and 100 RBI in his MVP season, which saw the Rangers reach their first World Series. The following year, Hamilton led them back to the Fall Classic once more, batting .298 with 25 bombs.

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After signing a five-year, $125 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels, things began to fall apart. He sustained two poor years by previous standards before being dealt back to the Rangers during the 2015 season.

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