Texas Rangers Activate Josh Hamilton; Joey Gallo Optioned to AAA

Prior to Tuesday’s contest in Baltimore against the Orioles, the Texas Rangers have activated outfielder Josh Hamilton (hamstring) from the 15-Day Disabled List. The corresponding roster move is not a huge surprise, but still one that most fans hoped wouldn’t be made. The high profile rookie and top prospect Joey Gallo will be optioned to AAA Round Rock, his first tour of duty in AAA baseball.

Hamilton went 4-12 with a walk, two strikeouts and three RBI in four rehab games, the first with AA Frisco and the last three for the Express.

Recalled on June 2nd, Joey Gallo made immediate headlines, going 3-4 with a home run. Among several high moments of future promise for Gallo were his five home runs and 11 walks. On June 13, he blasted a 461 foot into right field’s second deck at Globe Life Park for the fourth longest home run in the parks 22 year history.

However, the very real worries of Gallo striking out a ton were valid. He fanned 43 times. Just under half of his outs were strikeouts (43/87; 49%) and at third base he also committed five errors in 15 games.

When Adrian Beltre returned from an injury of his own (thumb), Gallo saw time in left field and surprisingly center field (which I would have never guessed). His huge 6’5″, 230 pound frame translated well to the outfield, and reportedly everyone liked what they say.

With Josh Hamilton now rejoining the lineup, Gallo’s role would have been relegated to a bench option and pinch hitter. Instead, he’ll report to AAA, where he has never played. Before joining the Rangers he was playing for the RoughRiders in Double-AA.

Making sure that the 21-year old phenom has everybody at bats is far and away the priority.

The Rangers will keep Ryan Rua, Hanser Alberto and Adam Rosales up for the time being, but another decision will need to be made when Delino DeShields returns from a hamstring injury. DeShields had three hits in his first rehab game with Round Rock and added another in game two. He is expected to return soon, today marking his 15th day on the Disabled List.

Before the hamstring injury in late May and the DL trip in early June, Hamilton was bouncing back in a big way in his return to Texas, hitting .273 with two home runs and five RBI in seven games, the final one just one at bat, but a big at bat at that.

Here are some interviews with Josh Hamilton, during his original 2015 rehab assignment and then the recent one.

The Texas Rangers are 39-38, having lost seven of their last 10 and dropping to third place in the American League West.

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