Hamilton treated for stomach problem

CLEVELAND — Cincinnati rookie Josh Hamilton was treated at a hospital for a stomach problem Saturday and later released.

The outfielder was transported by ambulance to Lutheran Hospital early Saturday morning. A Reds spokesman said Hamilton was diagnosed with gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Hamilton was released from the hospital later Saturday and returned to the team’s hotel. Reds manager Jerry Narron, informed of Hamilton’s illness Saturday morning, didn’t know if Hamilton would be at the ballpark for the game against the Indians.

“He had a bad stomach ache,” Narron said. “He might have eaten 10 hot dogs.”

The 25-year-old outfielder, whose comeback from alcohol and drug addiction has been one of baseball’s most inspiring stories this season, struck out as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning of the Reds’ 9-4 loss Friday night. He remained in the game in center field, and grounded out to end the game.

Hamilton is slumping, hitting .167 with one RBI in his last 11 games. Overall, he’s batting .261 with eight homers and 18 RBIs in 37 games.

Hamilton was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1999 draft by Tampa Bay, but an addiction to crack cocaine knocked him out of baseball completely for more than three years. He got off drugs in October 2005 and began his comeback. The Reds acquired him through a Rule 5 draft trade in 2006.

He was named the N.L.’s top rookie in April after hitting six homers and driving in 13 runs. He has shared his story of addiction.

“I don’t get tired of it and it’s good for me to talk,” Hamilton said Friday. “All I can say is I’m excited and grateful to be playing.”