Hamilton could be out for a week due to rib soreness

Rangers center fielder Josh Hamilton suffered bruised ribs when he ran into the outfield wall on Saturday at the Twins’ Target Field.  He underwent X-rays and they came back negative, but he’s still feeling some discomfort and was not in Sunday’s lineup.

Hamilton hinted to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Jeff Wilson that he could be out for a week:

“I
can’t say for sure, but all signs point to not good,” Hamilton said Sunday morning. “The last time
it happened (last year), I was feeling a lot better after about a week. There’s no
DL, but it’s how quickly I get back out there. We’ve got to make the
playoffs before we can worry about playing in the playoffs.”

The Rangers have a healthy lead in the American League West and probably don’t have to worry about gaining any more ground.  It might be wise, then, to simply give Hamilton the next week off and a few more off days down the stretch.