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Josh Hamilton launches first rehab home run into a pool

Mark Townsend
·Yahoo Sports Contributor

Over the past two weeks, Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton has been slowly working himself into baseball shape with a sharp eye toward his return to MLB during his extended minor-league rehab assignment. On Wednesday, he took a fairly significant step forward by launching his first home run of 2015 for Double-A Frisco.

Here's another look at the home run from the press box. It actually landed in a pool beyond the outfield wall at Frisco's home ballpark.

Hamilton's splash landing will cap a four-game stint with Frisco that saw him go 9-for-16 with nine runs scored and four driven in. Overall, Hamilton is hitting .371 during his 10-game rehab stint, which the Rangers say will return to Triple-A Round Rock this weekend.

General manager Jon Daniels has indicated that the Rangers are aiming to activate Hamilton on Monday when they visit the Cleveland Indians. Based on the latest information, it appears that's still the plan, although Hamilton admits there's a continuing open dialogue between both sides that at any moment could change the course they're taking.

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From the Dallas Morning News: 

“(We’re) talking together,” Hamilton said. “Them obviously asking how I feel and me being honest with them and telling them how it is, with them at the same time understanding that they don’t need to rush me back for anything.

“In the past obviously I would’ve forced the issue to get back. I’m not forcing the issue now. I’m trying to grow up a bit.”

Hamilton anticipates Monday being the day, but it sounds like no official decision will be made until Sunday.

Upon his return, Hamilton is expected to earn regular playing time in left field, where the Rangers have mixed and matched five different players through their first 39 games.

No one expects Hamilton to return to the All-Star form he displayed throughout his first Ranger stint, but he still figures to be an immediate and potentially significant upgrade for a struggling Rangers offense.

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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!