Notes

RANGERS

Hamilton released

CINCINNATI -- The Texas Rangers placed Josh Hamilton on unconditional release waivers Tuesday, though they said 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.

"We plan to monitor Josh's progress as he continues his rehab process and is medically cleared this winter," General Manager Jon Daniels said. "Given the (contract) rules in place, releasing him before the end of this month allows us to keep the door open to extending the relationship in the future."

Hamilton was the first overall pick in the 1999 June draft, but drug addiction nearly ruined his life and his career. He returned to baseball with the Cincinnati Reds in 2007 and showed the promise that was nearly destroyed by drugs, batting .292 in 90 games with 19 home runs and 47 RBI.

The Reds traded Hamilton to the Rangers after the 2007 season in a deal for pitcher Edinson Volquez. Hamilton was a five-time All-Star with the Rangers and the 2010 AL Most Valuable Player. He left as a free agent after the 2012 season and signed a five-year, $125 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels.

He was traded back to Texas last year and agreed to pay the Rangers for all of his $24 million salary this season and $22 million of the $24 million he is due next year, the final year on his contract. He played in only 50 games last season, batting .253 with 8 home runs and 25 RBI.

MARLINS

Bour moved to 60-day DL

MIAMI — The Miami Marlins have transferred first baseman Justin Bour to the 60-day disabled list and placed infielder Derek Dietrich on the 15-day disabled list. Miami announced the moves Tuesday before it opened its three-game series against the Kansas City Royals. Bour has been out since July 3 with a right ankle sprain and was originally expected back at the beginning of the month before suffering a setback, which will keep him out for at least another couple of weeks. Dietrich is out with a right knee contusion, retroactive to Aug. 19. The Marlins claimed outfielder Oswaldo Arcia off waivers from Tampa Bay in a corresponding move.

ORIOLES

Tillman questionable

BALTIMORE — Whether Baltimore Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman will be able to make his next scheduled start Thursday against the Washington Nationals is in question following a setback during his between-starts work day Tuesday.

Manager Buck Showalter said Tillman’s day “did not go well,” prompting more concerns about the discomfort in his right throwing shoulder that forced him to skip a start last week. Showalter said the club would make a decision by today whether Tillman can start Thursday at Nationals Park.

Tillman was scheduled to be examined by Ravens team physician Dr. Leigh Ann Curl today, Showalter said.

Tillman struggled in his last start Saturday against Houston — an outing that came following a week off to allow him to rest his shoulder. He was unable to make it out of the third inning while allowing 6 runs on 6 hits and 5 walks in a 12-2 loss to the Astros.

Following the game, Tillman said he has no physical issues, instead blaming control issues for his poor outing.

His results said otherwise. Tillman was pulled four batters into the third inning after failing to get an out. Tillman opened the frame hitting Evan Gattis with a pitch, then issued three consecutive walks before exiting the game.

“That’s the big positive coming out of this — probably the only positive you can find,” Tillman said then. “I felt good. Just couldn’t command the baseball.”

Tillman has been the anchor of a meandering Orioles’ starting rotation, going 15-5 with a 3.76 ERA. But he has lost three of his last four starts and owns a 6.66 ERA over his last five outings.

MLB

Postseason schedule

NEW YORK —Major League Baseball on Tuesday announced its postseason schedule, with the World Series beginning Oct. 25 at the American League ballpark.

National League home dates for the World Series, Games 3, 4 and 5 (if necessary), are scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 28, 29 and 30.

If the Series continues, Games 6 and 7 will be played Nov. 1 and 2 at the AL park.

The playoffs begin Oct. 4 with the AL wildcard game, followed by the NL game a day later. The two AL Division Series begin Oct. 6, followed by the NL Division Series on Oct. 7. The ALCS starts Oct. 14, the NLCS on Oct. 15.

Sports on 08/24/2016

Upcoming Events