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Hamilton ramps up activity in left knee rehab

Rangers LF hopes to play in field before season ends

OAKLAND -- Josh Hamilton had a good day on Wednesday afternoon as he put his surgically repaired left knee through the most extensive workout since the operation on Sept. 11.

There is continued hope Hamilton can do more than just be a pinch-hitter before the season ends in less than two weeks.

"Today went good," Hamilton said. "I was a little sore this morning so I almost dreaded today knowing I was going to run the bases. But I got stretched out, warmed up and hit early [batting practice]. While the next group hit, I ran the bases and felt good. When the last group hit, I shagged balls in the outfield and ran them down pretty good."

Hamilton has talked about playing at least a few innings in the outfield this weekend in Houston but that is still to be determined.

"At some point it would be nice," Hamilton said. "At the same time, it is not my decision. I have been off and on so much this year, I'll leave it up to [manager Jeff Banister]. The guys have been doing a good job."

"If he can run the bases, we can ramp it up in the outfield," Banister said. "I'm glad he is feeling good so we'll continue to evaluate it."

Worth noting:

Leonys Martin, who had surgery on Aug. 26 to have a broken hamate bone removed from his right hand, has taken batting practice and said he could hit in a game if needed. The Rangers have limited him to defense and pinch-running so far. Said Banister, "It's a challenge for him right now but every day he goes out and swings the bat, the closer he is to being a usable hitter."

• Martin and Hamilton were among the hitters who took live batting practice off of Minor League pitchers Sal Mendez and Erik Swanson. They were brought to Oakland so that Rangers hitters who needed extra work could hit off real pitchers in game-simulated situations and not off coaches in batting practice.

T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Postcards from Elysian Fields, follow him on Twitter @Sullivan_Ranger and listen to his podcast.
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