Josh Hamilton is going to win the American League batting title, even though he hasn’t played a game since the beginning of the month.
The Texas Rangers’ slugger broke two ribs in a game on Sept. 4, and his .361 batting average has remained unchanged on the stat sheet ever since.
The Rangers clinched the AL West on Saturday without Hamilton, but would severely miss his bat — and his presence in the lineup — in the postseason.
Thankfully for Texas, Hamilton looks like he might be ready for October baseball.
The Dallas Morning News reports that Hamilton has increased his rehab activities and should be back for Game 1 of the ALDS next week.
"I haven't had any setbacks, and it's feeling a lot better than it was," Hamilton told the Morning News. "It's just about trying to find the balance of knowing you have to ramp it up, but at the same time not doing anything to set you back."
Hamilton had the most intensive workout of his rehab on Monday. The three-time All-Star ran at full speed, shagged fly balls and used a fungo bat to hit 25 balls off the tee, according to the Morning News.
"I'm going to play it by ear, and if the body feels good enough, I'll add one more thing,” Hamilton said.
