ARLINGTON, Texas -- Two-thirds of the Rangers' outfield is getting closer to returning to the lineup.Nelson Cruz,Could return this coming weekend against the Phillies and Josh Hamilton could come back early the following week during the club's next homestand, which starts May 23. But both of those timetables are dependent on how the outfielders do this week as they continue to rehab injuries.
Cruz ran the bases hard again on Sunday and said his strained right quad muscle felt good. He's scheduled to head to Double-A Frisco on Monday for a rehab assignment and, if all goes well, is expected to join the Rangers in Philadelphia on Friday. He'll be the designated hitter for the first game or two and then play the field to fully test the quad in game speed.
Hamilton continues to take batting practice and will travel to Chicago with his teammates after Sunday's game. Hamilton is expected to have another CT scan on Wednesday and if Dr. Keith Meister clears him, the 2010 AL MVP could join Cruz in the Frisco lineup next Wednesday night. He would then head to Triple-A Round Rock for the weekend games.
Manager Ron Washington said Hamilton will likely be the designated hitter in all of his rehab games and would only DH upon his immediate return to the Rangers' lineup.
"We'll ease him into the field at some point after that when he's ready," Washington said.
Hamilton suffered a hairline fracture in a bone in his upper arm sliding headfirst into home plate against the Tigers on April 12. The diagnosis then was that he'd be out six to eight weeks. If he returns during the next homestand, that would be right at the six-week mark.
Hamilton was batting .333 with no homers and 7 RBIs in the first 11 games of the season when he was injured. Starting with that game on April 12, the Rangers are 11-18 after a 9-1 start before Sunday's series finale with the Angels.
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