One day after returning from an 11-game absence caused by a right shoulder injury, Josh Hamilton was shut down because of “a sharp, stabbing pain” in his chest and right rib cage, a new injury that made it difficult for the Angels left fielder to take deep breaths and could threaten his availability for the playoffs.
“I don’t know what to tell you as far as long term, short term or whatever,” Hamilton said before Thursday night’s game against Seattle. “But I’m going to do whatever I need to do to get back on the field.”
Hamilton felt some pain in his chest, ribs and under his armpit in early batting practice Monday. He started at designated hitter Tuesday night and had a single in three at-bats, “but as I played, as I ran, as I swung, it got worse and worse, to the point where it hurt to breathe,” he said.
When the tightness and discomfort continued Wednesday, Hamilton underwent an MRI test that showed no abnormalities. He spent most of Wednesday night receiving chiropractic treatment, first at a doctor’s office, then at home.
Hamilton, who is batting .263 with 10 homers and 44 runs batted in but has been limited to 89 games, missed the Angels’ 5-0 win over the Mariners and subsequent American League West-clinching celebration.
Hamilton sat out most of April and June because of a torn left-thumb ligament and all but one game of the team’s 10-game winning streak from Sept. 4-13 because of the shoulder injury.
If Hamilton, who normally bats cleanup behind Albert Pujols, could find his swing and power stroke in October, he would provide a huge boost to the offense. But the Angels don’t know what they’ll get from Hamilton, or when they’ll get whatever it if he can contribute.
“Hopefully it’s a minor blip, and we’ll see where we are in a day or two,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “He had a little relief today. As soon as he’s ready to play, we’ll get him in there to get him some at-bats.”
Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times
