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Angels' Hamilton 'concerned' with new shoulder injury; status for playoffs uncertain

Kevin Jairaj / USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Angels haven't missed a beat without Josh Hamilton in the lineup over the last month, but his absence is beginning to sound like a broken record.

Hamilton remains sidelined for Friday's series opener against the Texas Rangers after suffering a new shoulder injury that he says makes it difficult to breathe.

"As I played, as I ran, as I swung, it got worse and worse, to the point where it hurt to breathe," Hamilton told the Orange County Register on Thursday. "It just felt like my shoulder blade and everything was pretty locked up."

Hamilton, who said he received an MRI on Wednesday, will miss a third straight game Friday. He told the OC Register that his status for the Angels' first playoff game Oct. 2 remains up in the air.

You’re always concerned about it. If I woke up today and felt great, then I wouldn’t be concerned about it. I don’t know what to tell you as far as long term, short term or whatever, but the thing I’m going to do is whatever I need to do to get back on the field.

A previous shoulder injury cost Hamilton 11 games before he made a brief return Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners. The Angels clinched the American League West in his absence, winning 11 of 14 games without the injured slugger.

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