Rangers expect to announce deal, plan for Hamilton on Monday

ANAHEIM -- The obvious has not yet been stated.

There is still no official announcement that the Rangers have acquired outfielder Josh Hamilton from the Angels. The deal has been agreed to, but the entire process has not been completed to the point where an announcement can be made.

Sources were optimistic early Sunday that an announcement would be forthcoming. But as the day progressed, the optimism waned and now all signs point to Monday, when the Angels are off and the Rangers are back home to play the Mariners.

The impending news did not seem to affect the Rangers on Sunday as they pulled off their best victory of the season by coming from behind to beat the Angels, 5-4, in 11 innings.

"I really haven't even thought about it," Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland said. "If Josh does come, good. If he doesn't come, we still have to go out and play our game and focus on what we have to do."

The Rangers could use Hamilton because they have been struggling offensively. They were 1-for-16 with runners in scoring position in the three-game series with the Angels, until they came through in the ninth inning.

The Rangers trailed, 3-2, against Angels reliever Joe Smith, who retired the first two hitters in the inning. Then three straight singles by Prince Fielder, Adrian Beltre and Moreland tied the game.

Video: TEX@LAA: Moreland's two-out knock ties game in 9th

Leonys Martin put the Rangers ahead with an 11th-inning home run and the Rangers added a critical insurance run by taking advantage of shortstop Erick Aybar's error. That proved to be the difference when the Angels added one run in the bottom of the inning against closer Neftali Feliz.

The Rangers avoided getting swept by the Angels and finish 3-5 on their eight-game road trip.

Video: TEX@LAA: Rosales scores on error to pad lead in 11th

"We had a couple of tough losses the first two games of the series," Moreland said. "So to be able to come out and grind it out, take a win home to start the homestand will be great."

The Rangers play the Mariners at 7:05 p.m. CT on Monday. By that time, Hamilton's situation will have resolution and the Rangers will have a plan for him.

Hamilton is currently on the disabled list while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. The Rangers are expected to have a press conference for him Monday in Arlington and then send him to Surprise, Ariz., to continue his rehab program at their Spring Training facility.

Hamilton has been working out and taking practice at a friend's house near Houston. Former Angels teammates, including pitcher C.J. Wilson, visited him 10 days ago, while in Houston, and reported that Hamilton looked great and ready to go. Wilson said he looked "chiseled."

The Rangers will likely wait to see how Hamilton looks in Arizona before they send him out on a Minor League rehab assignment. He is expected to play at least several games at Triple-A Round Rock before the team considers him an option at the Major League level.

The Rangers will pick up a small portion of the remainder of Hamilton's salary, believed to be $6 million to $7 million. The Angels will be responsible for the rest of the $83 million still owed to him.