Rangers OF Josh Hamilton to undergo arthroscopic surgery on knee

The Rangers are hopeful that Hamilton will be able to return before the end of the season.

Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Friday, reports Jeff Wilson of the Fort-Worth Star Telegram. The surgery is a “clean-up” procedure, which surgeons use to remove torn meniscus, and the team is hopeful that Hamilton will be able to return before the end of the season.

Hamilton is hitting .257/.299/.431 with six home runs and 21 RBIs over 154 plate appearances and 40 games with Texas following his trade from the Los Angeles Angels in late April. Hamilton has missed most of the season due to injury: He started the year on the disabled list due to a shoulder injury and made his 2015 debut on May 25, then went back on the DL on June 4 with a hamstring strain. He returned to action on June 30, but inflammation in his left knee forced the Rangers to place him on the DL once more on Aug. 20. He was re-activated on Sept. 1 and has been limited to pinch-hitting duties because of soreness in the knee.

The Rangers sit two games behind the Houston Astros in the American League West with a 73–65 record entering Thursday night and are currently 1 1/2 games up on the Minnesota Twins for the AL's second wild-card spot.

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