Josh Hamilton will finally rejoin the Angels organization when he reports to the team’s spring training facility in Arizona sometime this week, according to manager Mike Scioscia.
The embattled slugger has been rehabilitating his shoulder in Houston since undergoing surgery in February. He is going through a divorce on the heels of a self-reported drug and alcohol relapse that went unpunished by Major League Baseball, drawing ire from the Angels owner and front office.
Though Hamilton will resume baseball activities under the organization’s umbrella, it remains unclear if or when he will rejoin the parent club. Owner Arte Moreno wouldn’t guarantee Hamilton would be granted that opportunity, stating April 10 that there was language in his contract that a substance-abuse relapse could compromise the remaining three years and $83 million owed to Hamilton. Scioscia said the Angels will provide support in Arizona for Hamilton’s off-field problems, something the Angels weren’t sure was put in place by Major League Baseball or the players union.
“There’s a lot of evaluating that needs to be taking place, both on and off the field with Josh,” Scioscia said. “I know that he’s itching to get going and this is an important step, but you need to address some issues before he’s out there playing in a major league game and I think that’s why the help and support is being provided to him by our organization.”
Continue reading “Hamilton to finally rejoin Angels, will report to Arizona this week” »