Los Angeles Angels could be without Josh Hamilton for playoffs

Jul 11, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels left fielder Josh Hamilton (32) and manager Mike Scioscia (14) before the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Angels shut out the Rangers 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 11, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels left fielder Josh Hamilton (32) and manager Mike Scioscia (14) before the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Angels shut out the Rangers 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Josh Hamilton, who played Tuesday after missing 11 games with a right shoulder injury, sat out Wednesday’s game with a new injury — a pain in his rib cage that’s making it painful for Hamilton to breathe and calling his status for the Los Angeles Angels’s postseason run in doubt.

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Hamilton said the pain began on Monday, and got worse as he played on Tuesday. Hamilton had an MRI that showed nothing abnormal, and he’s not sure what this will mean for his postseason availability.

He felt better on Thursday, but it’s not clear when the Angels can expect to be able to have Hamilton hit again, if he comes back at all in 2014. Manager Mike Scioscia seemed hopeful he could get Hamilton a few at bats before the playoffs began, which will be October 2 for the AL West Champion Angels.

Hamilton also sat out most of April and May with a torn left thumb ligament, and has only played in 89 games this season. In 338 at bats, Hamilton has 10 home runs, and a .331 on-base percentage, with 21 doubles. He has 44 RBI and is three-for-six in his stolen base attempts this year, and his three stolen bases are the lowest of his career since his rookie year in 2007. LA begins a three-game series against the Texas Rangers tonight.

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