TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hamilton hopeful about return

ADVERTISEMENT

The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 13, 2009

Updated: 09/13/2009 12:11 am

ARLINGTON, Texas - Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton felt much better Saturday after receiving two more injections in his back, and the All-Star is optimistic he will be able to return next weekend.

Hamilton, who has not played since Sept. 2, said Saturday he received an epidural for a pinched nerve and a cortisone shot for inflammation caused by what he described as a "small stress fracture" in his back.

Back specialist Robert Watkins administered the shots Friday in California.

"When I woke up, it was a night-and-day difference," Hamilton said.

Hamilton received two earlier injections, one on Sept. 4 and another Monday, that didn't alleviate his pain.

ASTROS: Left-hander Mike Hampton has scheduled his left shoulder surgery for Tuesday in New York City.

Hampton was placed on the disabled list Aug. 14 and decided about two weeks later to have the season-ending surgery. Hampton has a significant partial thickness tear of his left rotator cuff.

CARDINALS: Right-hander John Smoltz is being held out of his scheduled start Monday against the Florida Marlins because of shoulder tendinitis.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT