The Rangers are already majorly fading from the AL wild-card race, but it’s likely that without Josh Hamilton, they’ll fade out of contention.
The Rangers slugger told ESPN.com on Friday that it is possible he will not play again in 2009 after suffering from a pinched nerve in his back and tightness in his right glute. Hamilton has missed 12 consecutive games and said he plans to take a break from all baseball activity for a couple of days.
“There’s always a possibility that I’m not counting on, not playing,” he told the Web site.
Hamilton has not played since Sept. 2. Last weekend, he received an epidural and a cortisone shot. He will be re-evaluated on Friday.
“We’re going to see if we can get my glute to calm down a little bit because I don’t want to end up right back where I was,” he said. “The shots did their job as far as calming it down, but baseball activity wise is still giving me a little, not pain, but tightness. But the tightness will lead to pain if I continue.”
Last season, Hamilton batted .304 with 32 homers and 109 RBIs. In 2009, he is hitting .270 with 10 homers and 49 RBIs in just 87 games.
The Rangers have also been without heavy-hitter Michael Young for the better part of their last 11 games. The first baseman strained his hamstring and has made just one at-bat since Sept. 1. He told ESPN.com he could return for this weekend’s series against the Angels.
