Josh Hamilton will be activated off disabled list Tuesday
By Hayden Kane
After a series of setbacks in his rehab from an injury to his left thumb, Josh Hamilton is finally ready to return to the lineup for the Los Angeles Angels.
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A bone bruise forced Hamilton to miss a rehab start in the minor leagues. Having overcome that setback, Hamilton is set to return to the lineup for the Angels on Tuesday. According to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times:
#Angels will activate LF Josh Hamilton Tuesday. RHP Jarrett Grube optioned to triple A.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) June 1, 2014
This move comes at the right time for the Angels. They are in need of a spark after a series sweep at the hands of the division leading Oakland Athletics this weekend in which Mike Trout missed two games with a stiff back. If Hamilton comes back and is able to play anything like he did in the first few games of the season, it will be a boon in the middle of their lineup.
The Angels signed Hamilton to an aggressive deal before the 2013 season. There is still a few years left on the five-year, $133 million deal to which they signed the 33-year-old last year.
During a small sample of eight games at the beginning of the season, Hamilton batted and got on-base at a clip north of .400. There were also some signs of power with a couple home runs. That might be the more important tool that the Angels need to see as one of their high-profile players returns to the lineup.
The Angels head next to face the Astros in Houston.