Rangers reunite with Hamilton on minor-league deal

The Texas Rangers reunited with Josh Hamilton on Tuesday, officially agreeing to a minor-league deal with the former American League MVP.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels attended a workout involving Hamilton last month and after team doctors gave the player a clean bill of health, the two sides began negotiating a reunion. Hamilton said that he didn't speak with any other teams, and that he would not have signed with anyone else.

The five-time All-Star, who can request a release if he's not in the majors by April 1, hasn't appeared in a major-league game since October 2015 and missed all of last season after undergoing knee surgery.

A life-long outfielder, Hamilton will work out at first base for the Rangers. The club currently has utility man Jurickson Profar penciled in at the position, and have also been in talks with free agent Mike Napoli.

The new deal with the Rangers marks the third different go-round for Hamilton and the club.

The 35-year-old spent five seasons in Texas before signing a five-year, $125-million deal with the Los Angeles Angels in 2012, only to play just 240 games over two seasons while suffering an alcohol and drug relapse. Hamilton was traded back to the Rangers in 2015, with the Angels covering roughly $60 million of his remaining salary.

Hamilton hit .253/.291/.441 with eight home runs and eight doubles in 50 games for the Rangers in 2015, striking out 52 times.