Tests reveal no structural damage to Hamilton's knee

Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton has avoided a major injury involving his surgically repaired left knee.

The 35-year-old was sent to Houston to visit a specialist Wednesday after feeling pain in his left knee while participating in drills. Hamilton arrived back in camp Thursday with good news as the tests revealed no structural damage.

"The way it felt, and it coming all of a sudden out of nowhere after feeling good concerned me a little," Hamilton told Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. "Rather than wait around and get treatment for two weeks, we thought it best to get answers right away. I understand this is a process and as I introduce new things to it, there are times it will feel good and times the knee won't like it."

Hamilton will take the rest of the week off after receiving a PRP injection and hopes to resume activities at the start of next week.

"My confidence hasn't wavered at all," Hamilton said. "As far as not falling further behind in the process, if I'm in the cage ans swinging by Monday, I think I can be on the field talking live batting practice too."

It's been almost 17 months since Hamilton last appeared in a major-league game. He underwent surgery in September 2015 to remove a piece of meniscus from his left knee. Despite the procedure, Hamilton arrived to camp the following spring in discomfort and eventually opted for surgery in May after not playing a game.

Texas released Hamilton from his contract in August only to agree to a minor-league deal in January.

"It just hit my heart and head that I think I've got a lot left in the tank, not just a little. So I wanted to give a try," Hamilton said last month.