Rangers put Josh Hamilton on unconditional release waivers
The Texas Rangers placed Josh Hamilton on unconditional release waivers Tuesday, though they hope his surgically rebuilt left knee is healthy enough to allow him to try for a spot with the team next season.
Texas activated Hamilton off the 60-day disabled list and put him on waivers, a move that was expected. The 35-year-old outfielder had surgery on June 8 to reconstruct his ACL and repair cartilage damage. He’s hoping to be ready for spring training.
It was Hamilton’s third operation on the knee since September.
General manager Jon Daniels said during a conference call that the move had to be done before the end of August, otherwise Hamilton wouldn’t have been able to play for the Rangers until after May 15 next year under Major League Baseball’s contract rules.
Gooden says he’s not relapsed
Dwight Gooden refuted Darryl Strawberry’s concerns for his life Monday night, saying, “I do not use cocaine and have not for many years.”
Gooden released his statement to Newsday late Monday night, hours after Strawberry – for the third straight day – reiterated his fears that his former Mets and Yankees teammate had relapsed.
“I would also like to say here and now that Darryl’s allegations against me are totally false,” Gooden said in his statement.
Nationals OF Harper designs cap to raise money for charity
Bryce Harper’s many talents now include hat designer.
The Washington Nationals outfielder has created a limited edition baseball cap that will go on sale Wednesday. Proceeds will go to Harper’s Heroes – a charity for children battling cancer – as well as the Leukemia & Lymphoma society.
Clearing the bases
Orioles’ manager Buck Showalter said Charles Tillman’s next start, scheduled for Thursday is in question surrounding discomfort in his right throwing shoulder. … The White Sox have activated outfielder Avisail Garcia off the 15-day disabled list and optioned outfielder Jason Coats to Triple-A Charlotte. … The MLB postseason will open with the American League wild-card game on Tuesday, Oct. 4, followed by the National League wild-card game the next day. … Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Pillar has been activated off the 15-day disabled list . … Rhode Island has reached a $25.6 million settlement with two of the financial backers it sued over a disastrous deal with former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling’s 38 Studios video game company. … The Marlins transferred first baseman Justin Bour to the 60-day disabled list and placed infielder Derek Dietrich on the 15-day disabled list. … A woman was struck in the left ear by a line drive down the third base line in the second inning of Milwaukee’s game with Colorado on Tuesday night. … Mets starter Jon Niese left in the first inning of a game Tuesday night against the Cardinals with left knee pain.