Josh Hamilton's first trip to the plate in 2015 ended in a familiar way for the Texas Rangers slugger: With a strikeout.
Hamilton, who's working his way back from shoulder surgery and substance abuse issues, made his season debut Monday with a first-inning at-bat against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Facing Indians right-hander Shaun Marcum, Hamilton followed back-to-back homers from Prince Fielder and Adrian Beltre by striking out swinging on four pitches.
During his second at-bat, in the third inning, Hamilton worked a two-out walk to load the bases before coming around to score. He would strike out for a second time in the fifth and reach on a fielding error in the seventh, finishing the day 0-for-3.
While the results weren't what he'd hoped for, Hamilton admitted he's just happy to be back on the diamond in a comfortable situation.
"It's good to feel the energy in the dugout again," Hamilton told MLB.com. "It's fun to be hitting behind (Shin-Soo) Choo, Prince (Fielder) and (Adrian) Beltre. That's something to look forward to on a day-in and day-out basis."
The five-time All-Star and former MVP was re-acquired from the Los Angeles Angels on April 27 and reported to extended spring training the next day. Hamilton, whose 28.3 percent strikeout rate in 2014 was a career high, missed 22 of the Angels' final 23 games last season due to an ailing right shoulder.
"We don't need him to come in and be anything other than what he is right now," manager Jeff Banister said. "We just need for him to give us what he can and be one of 25."
