ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers are about to face a pair of their former aces, Yu Darvish and Cole Hamels, in consecutive games against the Chicago Cubs."That will be unique," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "It will be a good challenge for our guys because they're both so talented and it's fun to see our guys play against the best."While Darvish and Hamels will pitch during the opening series in the ballpark they used to call home, their former team is going through quite a rotation reclamation. The Rangers have four new starters, three of them coming off Tommy John surgery in 2017 — the last season Darvish and Hamels were in Texas together.Darvish made his big league debut with Texas in 2012 after playing seven pro seasons at home in Japan. He will start against the Rangers on Saturday in the second game of the series after Jon Lester made his third consecutive opening-day start for the Cubs in a 12-4 victory Thursday.Hamels, who started openers for the Rangers in... [More]

Mike Trout is on the verge of becoming baseball's first half-billion dollar man.Trout and the Los Angeles Angels are close to finalizing a $432 million, 12-year contract that would shatter the record for the largest deal in North American sports history, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The deal was disclosed Tuesday by a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been finalized. The contract was likely to be announced by the end of this week, the person said.Trout would set a baseball record for career earnings at about $513 million, surpassing the roughly $448 million Alex Rodriguez took in with Seattle, Texas and the New York Yankees from 1994-2017"I'm pretty sure I ain't paying one more dinner for him," said fellow Angels star Albert Pujols, in the midst of a $240 million, 10-year deal. "It's well deserved. I don't think there's anybody in baseball besides him who deserves that."Trout's... [More]

Mike Trout is on the verge of becoming baseball's first half-billion dollar man.Trout and the Los Angeles Angels are close to finalizing a $432 million, 12-year contract that would shatter the record for the largest deal in North American sports history, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The deal was disclosed Tuesday by a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been finalized. The contract was likely to be announced by the end of this week, the person said.Trout would set a baseball record for career earnings at about $513 million, surpassing the roughly $448 million Alex Rodriguez took in with Seattle, Texas and the New York Yankees from 1994-2017.Trout's latest deal would top the new $330 million, 12-year contract between Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies, and Trout's $36 million average annual value would surpass pitcher Zack Greinke's $34.4 million in a six-year deal with... [More]

Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels are close to finalizing a $432 million, 12-year contract that would shatter the record for the largest deal in North American sports history, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The deal was disclosed Tuesday by a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been finalized and had not been announced. The contract was likely to be announced by the end of this week, the person said.Trout's total would top the new $330 million, 12-year contract between Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies, and Trout's $36 million average annual value would surpass pitcher Zack Greinke's $34.4 million in a six-year deal with Arizona that started in 2016. The contract also would best Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez's $356 million deal with sports-streaming service DAZN.Progress toward an agreement was first reported by ESPN.Trout would set a baseball record for career earnings... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Catcher Jeff Mathis and the Texas Rangers finalized a $6.25 million, two-year contract Tuesday.Mathis, one of baseball's best defensive catchers, gets $3.25 million next season and $3 million in 2020.The Rangers later Tuesday added four players to their major league roster, protecting them from being available to other teams during the Rule 5 draft at the winter meetings next month. They added right-handed pitcher Edinson Volquez and outfielder Scott Heineman from Triple-A Nashville, along with right-hander Wei-Chieh Huang and lefty Taylor Hearn from Double-A Frisco.Texas also acquired infielder Jack Reinheimer from the Chicago Cubs on a waiver claim, while right-handers Eddie Butler and Ronald Herrera were assigned outright to Triple-A Nashville.The 35-year-old Mathis spent the last two years with Arizona and hit .200 this season with one homer and 20 RBIs in 69 games. He threw out 18 of 53 runners attempting to steal this year, and his 17 defensive runs saved were... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — After wearing No. 55 for his entire major league career, Tim Lincecum will switch to 44 with the Texas Rangers in honor of his late older brother.Sean Lincecum's funeral was Saturday, which delayed Tim Lincecum from taking the physical needed to finalize his $1 million, one-year contract with the Texas Rangers, a deal that allows him to earn up to $4 million if he is healthy all season and becomes the team's regular closer. The two-time Cy Young Award winner passed the physical Tuesday and said he will wear the number his brother used as an amateur."I always looked up to my brother," Lincecum said. "He was an idol for me. He just had a lot of bad runs with the choices he made in life."Texas general manager Jon Daniels said the 33-year-old right-hander will be a reliever and could be the Rangers' closer as he attempts to pitch in the big leagues for the first time since 2016."I think it's a great opportunity," Lincecum said. "It was a difficult decision with the Dodgers... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — After wearing No. 55 for his entire major league career, Tim Lincecum will switch to 44 with the Texas Rangers in honor of his late older brother.Sean Lincecum's funeral was Saturday, which delayed Tim Lincecum from taking the physical needed to finalize his $1 million, one-year contract with the Texas Rangers. The two-time Cy Young Award winner passed the physical Tuesday and said he will wear the number his brother used as an amateur."I always looked up to my brother," Lincecum said. "He was an idol for me. He just had a lot of bad runs with the choices he made in life."Texas general manager Jon Daniels said the 33-year-old right-hander will be a reliever and could be the Rangers' closer as he attempts to pitch in the big leagues for the first time since 2016."I think it's a great opportunity," Lincecum said. "It was a difficult decision with the Dodgers and the Rangers, but it came down to those two teams. I thought the Rangers would be a better fit. The conversations... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — After wearing No. 55 for his entire major league career, Tim Lincecum will switch to 44 with the Texas Rangers in honor of his late older brother.Sean Lincecum's funeral was Saturday, which delayed Tim Lincecum from taking the physical needed to finalize his $1 million, one-year contract with the Texas Rangers. The two-time Cy Young Award winner passed the physical Tuesday and said he will wear the number his brother used as an amateur."I always looked up to my brother," Lincecum said. "He was an idol for me. He just had a lot of bad runs with the choices he made in life."Texas general manager Jon Daniels said the 33-year-old right-hander will be a reliever and could be the Rangers' closer as he attempts to pitch in the big leagues for the first time since 2016."I think it's a great opportunity," Lincecum said. "It was a difficult decision with the Dodgers and the Rangers, but it came down to those two teams. I thought the Rangers would be a better fit. The conversations... [More]

OF Josh Hamilton, who signed a five-year, $125 million contract with the Angels in 2013, was released from a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers. He is facing his fifth knee surgery since 2015. He was a bust with the Angels, who are paying $22 million of his $24 million salary for the last year of his contract in 2017.

OF Josh Hamilton was released from his minor-league contract on Friday after suffering another knee injury while rehabbing his left knee in Houston. Hamilton was in spring training with the Rangers but left camp because of knee problems and underwent surgery. He will have surgery again on the left knee. "A guy like Josh who has been through those types of things, he knows the truth," Texas manager Jeff Banister said. "When guys have been injured before they know the rehab process and how challenging it is to get back on the field. Injuries and time away for young players can be devastating for young players, it can chew them up. Guys like Josh have a way of being able to compartmentalize those situations."

OF Josh Hamilton was released from his minor league contract on Friday after the veteran sustained a right knee injury while rehabilitating his left knee. Hamilton re-signed with the Rangers in January before undergoing left knee surgery the following month. The former American League MVP was placed on the disabled list at Triple-A Round Rock at the end of spring training and began rehab for his left knee. Hamilton, who turns 36 in May, was a five-time All-Star for the Rangers and won MVP honors in 2010 when he led the AL with a .359 average and had 32 homers and 100 RBIs. He hit a career-best 43 homers in 2012 and departed as a free agent to sign with the Angels.

The Texas Rangers released Josh Hamilton from his minor league contract on Friday after the veteran outfielder sustained a right knee injury while rehabilitating his left knee.Hamilton re-signed with the Rangers in January before undergoing left knee surgery the following month. The former American League MVP was placed on the disabled list at Triple-A Round Rock at the end of spring training and began rehab for his left knee."I am disappointed but not discouraged that my knee problems have not allowed me to play this season," Hamilton said in a statement. "I plan to have surgery on my right knee and then evaluate the situation. I want to thank the Rangers and all of the great fans for the support and encouragement. I really appreciate it."Hamilton, who turns 36 in May, was a five-time All-Star for the Rangers and won MVP honors in 2010 when he led the AL with a .359 average and had 32 homers and 100 RBIs. He hit a career-best 43 homers in 2012 and departed as a free agent to sign with... [More]

OF Josh Hamilton (left knee surgery) had surgery on his left knee on Feb. 27. He was reassigned to the minor league camp to rehab the knee. A timetable for his return is uncertain.

OF Josh Hamilton's career with the Texas Rangers might not be over, despite being given his unconditional release by the club Tuesday. The injury-riddled 35-year old outfielder has missed the entire season following reconstructive knee surgery. He was reinstated from the 60-day disabled list Tuesday, then waived. "We've talked about it for a period of time, and he understands why we did it," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. By making the move prior to August 31, Hamilton could be eligible by Opening Day if he resigned with the Rangers. Otherwise, in accordance with Major League contract rules, he wouldn't be able to play before May 15. "I'm hopeful that if he's healthy and our roster is in a spot where we'd still like to have him back, we can work it out," Daniels said. "But that's still a few steps down the line.'' Hamilton began the 2016 season on the 15-day disabled list as he continued to rehab from offseason surgery on his left knee. He had surgery again June 8 to repair a torn ACL and cartilage damage in the knee, thus ending his season.

OF Josh Hamilton was placed on unconditional release waivers on Tuesday by the Texas Rangers in a move that allows the veteran outfielder a chance to begin the 2017 season with the club. By releasing the 35-year-old Hamilton prior to Sept. 1, the Rangers can re-sign him to a minor-league contract and elevate him to the majors prior to May 15. Hamilton underwent surgery to repair lateral and meniscus cartilage in his left knee in June. The surgery revealed that he also had an ACL injury, which required reconstruction.

Two-thirds of Major League Baseball's 30 teams will be represented at the workout of Tim Tebow on Aug. 30.ESPN reported 20 teams are confirmed to attend when Tebow shows his baseball ability, a shift from the football career that gained the former Florida Gators Heisman Trophy winner notoriety. Tebow, a broadcaster for ESPN who played in the NFL with the Denver Broncos and New York Jets and was in training camp with the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles, focused his attention on baseball following a private workout for the Los Angeles Dodgers before the 2016 season began.Tebow, 29, could get a minor-league offer according to former Broncos teammate Eric Decker, now a receiver with the Jets.-- The Texas Rangers placed Josh Hamilton on unconditional release waivers in a move that allows the veteran outfielder a chance to begin the 2017 season with the club.Texas also activated Derek Holland from the 60-day disabled list and plans to start the left-hander in Tuesday's interleague... [More]

The Texas Rangers placed Josh Hamilton on unconditional release waivers Tuesday in a move that allows the veteran outfielder a chance to begin the 2017 season with the club.Texas also activated Derek Holland from the 60-day disabled list and plans to start the left-hander in Tuesday's interleague game against the Cincinnati Reds. To make room for Holland, the Rangers recalled Shawn Tolleson from Round Rock and placed him on the 60-day disabled list and optioned fellow right-hander Nick Martinez to the Triple-A squad.By releasing the 35-year-old Hamilton prior to Sept. 1, the Rangers can re-sign him to a minor-league contract and elevate him to the majors prior to May 15."We plan to monitor Josh's progress as he continues his rehab process and is medically cleared this winter," Texas general manager Jon Daniels said in a statement. "Given the rules in place, releasing him before the end of this month allows us to keep the door open to extending the relationship in the future."Hamilton underwent surgery to repair lateral and meniscus cartilage in his left knee in June. The surgery revealed that he also had an ACL injury, which required reconstruction.Holland has been sidelined for the last two months due to shoulder inflammation. The 29-year-old owns a 5-5 mark with a 5.20 ERA in 14 outings this season.

OF Josh Hamilton, who underwent season-ending reconstructive left knee surgery on June 8, is optimistic he will be ready to go for 2017.Hamilton said he hasn't had any pain in his knee for the last two weeks and is looking forward to getting on the field for the Rangers again. "One-hundred percent," Hamilton said of his confidence level. "I feel confident when I'm healthy, and really healthy, I'm as good as anybody in the game."

OF Josh Hamilton had surgery on his left knee Wednesday that could spell the end of his career in Texas. In addition to the procedure to repair his lateral and meniscus cartilage, doctors had to perform ACL reconstruction. Hamilton, 35, has one year left on his contract, with the Rangers on the hook for only $2 million. The club could release Hamilton this offseason to make room on the 40-man roster.

OF Josh Hamilton had ACL reconstruction surgery on his left knee in addition to arterial and meniscus cartilage repairs.