LA Angels Trade Josh Hamilton Back to Texas Rangers; Workouts Already Scheduled!

Outfielder Josh Hamilton will go back to Texas and reunite with the Rangers after the Los Angeles Angels sealed a trade sending their slugger back to Arlington.

The 2010 American League most valuable player, according to USA Today, previously played for five fruitful seasons with the Rangers. It added that the Angels cut Hamilton from the team after his admission of a drug relapse last February. He previously signed a five-year, $125 million contract in Los Angeles.

MLB.com said the Rangers are expecting Hamilton to play for the team by mid-to-late May after his training in Arizona.

"This is 100 percent about how we think Josh can help our offense, help us win games and be a productive player for us," said general manager Jon Daniels during the announcement of Hamilton's trade.

For his part, Hamilton said he is excited to come back home. "I have a lot of good memories of Texas, a lot of big games won. For me, it is still the loudest ballpark I have ever played in. I'm excited about it. Playing baseball, being back with the Rangers and taking care of my girls, that is my priority," the player was quoted as saying.

From 2008 to 2012, the outfielder was instrumental in the Rangers' two World Series journey. He then transferred with the Angels but MLB.com said his two-year stay in Los Angeles was "marred by injuries and a drop in his offensive production and when he had an offseason relapse in his alcohol and drug addiction, the Angels decided to sever the relationship."

USA Today explained that Hamilton's relapse did not violate the joint drug agreement of the league so he was not suspended for that, though the Angels made sure that he will not be playing for the team again.

"When it was made clear to me the Angels wanted to move me, my first choice was the Rangers. I have a lot of good memories here. Looking back on it, if I could change the past, I would have stayed here," Hamilton told reporters.

He also admtted that he is not sure how his fans would react about his transfer and return to Texas.

Recounting his recent shoulder injury, Hamilton said he still has a lot of things to overcome but he is prepared for this new chapter in his life.

"I'm not over the hill. I just got my shoulder cleaned up along with some other things that have been bothering me the past few years. I feel really good in my mental state of mind and physical well-being," he explained.

Last February 3, Hamilton underwent surgery to fix his right shoulder but after that he has reportedly went back to working out at a friend's residence in Houston. MLB.com added that he practices batting, flying balls and throwing.

His reunion with the Rangers is expected to yield positive results not only for him but also for the team.