Rangers left fielder Josh Hamilton was in Alabama on Monday to get a second opinion on his balky left knee from Dr. James Andrews.
Given his injury history, it's hardly news that Hamilton is sidelined.
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What is noteworthy, the Dallas Morning News reported, is the Rangers, who've been looking at the pool of available free-agent outfielders for depth, may shift their shopping given Hamilton's situation.
"He's had his ups and downs this offseason, and we'd like to find out if there is something else we can do," general manager Jon Daniels said. "You would like to have a better handle on what we can expect from him this year. We have some talented young players in camp, but there are some veterans we have interest in under the right circumstances. Some guys fit regardless; some guys better if Josh can't go."
According to the report, Daniels would like to bring in someone who could play some center field, but that would become secondary if Hamilton's status forces them to strengthen their left-field platoon, in which case the Rangers' priority would shift to a lefty-hitting outfielder still on the free-agent market.
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Two former Rangers fit that bill, the Morning News noted: Will Venable and David Murphy. Venable also can play center.
There are a handful of younger players in camp who could be options, but for now, slugger Joey Gallo is not among them. He will remain at third base for the time being, Daniels said.
An upgrade on 2015's left-field output shouldn't be difficult. With the oft-injured Hamilton appearing in only 50 games, Rangers left fielders hit .225/.295/.393 with 21 homers and 61 RBIs, hardly the production an AL team expects from a corner outfield position.
