Josh Hamilton meets with teammates, 'wants to play baseball'

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton met with teammates and his manager Mike Scioscia and just wants to play baseball, according to MLB blogger Alden Gonzalez.

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton met with teammates as well as his manager Mike Scioscia and just wants to play baseball, according to MLB blogger Alden Gonzalez. 

The Angels were in Houston this week playing the Astros. Hamilton is currently rehabbing his shoulder after surgery this past February and is expected to return to the lineup in May. 

The 33 year old met with pitcher C.J. Wilson, as well as teammates David Freese, Collin Cowgill and Kole Calhoun.

“It was good to see him,” Freese told Gonzalez. “I thought he was good in really good spirits. The fact is he wants to play some baseball. And he’s ready to roll.”

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“It’s my 100 percent opinion that Josh is not a risk to himself or anybody else,” Wilson said. “That’s what I feel having known him for eight years. That’s the closest thing I can get to a factual opinion.”

Hamilton, who has a prior history of drug abuse dating back to his days in the Tampa Bay Rays organization in the early 2000s, relapsed in February. Major League Baseball did not suspend Hamilton for his transgressions. 

The Angels released a statement detailing their disappointment in Hamilton and the league's decision not to suspend him. 

Hamilton, the 2010 AL MVP, signed a five-year, $125 million contract with the Angels in 2013.

- Will Green