Texas Rangers activate Josh Hamilton from 15-day disabled list

Cleveland, OH - The Texas Rangers announced today that outfielder Josh Hamilton has been activated from the 15-day disabled list. Hamilton will make his 2015 debut on Monday afternoon when the Rangers play the Indians in Cleveland.

To make room for Hamilton, right-handed pitcher Neftali Feliz has been placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 20, with an axillary abscess on his right side. Feliz underwent a procedure to address the situation in New York this weekend.

Hamilton (#32) traveled to Cleveland on Sunday after completing an injury rehab assignment from at Triple-A Round Rock (May 10-15; May 21-23) and Double-A Frisco (May 6-20). The left-handed batter hit .364 (16-44) with 5 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI, and 2 BB in 12 games (7-OF; 5-DH) with Round Rock and Frisco. Hamilton hit safely in his final 8 games with the 2 clubs at at .452 (14-31). He was 2-for-5 in his final game on Friday night versus Albuquerque at Round Rock. He was scheduled to play Saturday but Round Rock's game was rained out.

Acquired from the Los Angeles Angels with cash considerations for a player to be named later or cash considerations on April 27, Hamilton has spent the entire season on the DL after right shoulder surgery on February 4. His last major league game was for the Angels on Oct. 5, 2014, ALDS Game 3 at Kansas City.

In 2014 Hamilton hit .263 with 10 homers and 44 RBI in 89 games for Los Angeles while being sidelined from April 9-June 3 with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb. Hamilton batted .329 in his final 45 regular season games beginning August 9, ending the year with a 14-game hitting streak.

In five seasons with Texas from 2008-12, Hamilton batted .305 with 142 home runs and 506 RBI in 647 games. He has the third highest slugging percentage (.549) and sixth best batting average in club history among players with at least 300 games while producing three seasons each of 30+ homers and 100+ RBI.

Overall, Hamilton has a .292 (1091-3739) average with 192 homers and 676 RBI in 977 major league games with the Reds (2007), Rangers (2008-12), and Angels (2013-14).

Feliz is 1-2 with a 5.09 ERA and 6 saves in 17 relief appearances with Texas this season.

With today's moves, the Rangers major league roster remains at 39 players.