Texas Rangers: Josh Hamilton Has Been Released

The Texas Rangers have officially released Josh Hamilton. After suffering another knee injury during his rehab, it’s clear his body cannot seem to handle it anymore. It may be time for the former slugger to call it quits and hang up his cleats.

John Blake, the Executive Vice President of Communications for the Texas Rangers broke the news this afternoon. Sources say, Hamilton is undergoing another surgery.

According to MLB Trade Rumors’ Jeff Todd, Hamilton’s latest injury is not on the same knee from previous surgeries. However, there’s no reports on the details of the injury.

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Hamilton, 35, signed a minor-league contract back in January. The deal included an invitation to Spring Training. However, shortly before Spring Training began, he felt discomfort in his knee he had surgically-repaired in June. The injury was diagnosed as a torn cartilage, possibly ending his career.

In late-February, he underwent surgery and he was ruled out at least three months, forcing him to miss all of Spring Training. Now that he’s suffered another knee injury, it is clear his lower body can’t handle the sport anymore.

To be honest, Hamilton has no reason to feel shame in himself. Of course, many fans will never forgive him for his comments in 2012 when he described Arlington as “not a baseball town” when he left to sign a big contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. But he came back here with a promise he would work hard and give back to the fans who have supported him since his days in his prime. Unfortunately, his injuries and his aging body have prevented him from carrying out his promise. No doubt, he’s got the heart of a lion. Mentally, he can play, but physically he can’t. It’s safe to say the 2010 American League’s Most Valuable Player, five-time All-Star, and three-time Silver Slugger has reached his breaking point.

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Hamilton is in the final year of the the five-year, $125 million deal. Sending him back to Arlington, the Angels organization agreed to pay the majority of the rest of the money, while Texas only paid $2 million.