ARLINGTON, Texas _ Josh Hamilton expects his surgically repaired left knee to be 100 percent healthy for spring training, but he doesn't expect the Texas Rangers to hand him a roster spot.
Hamilton said on Wednesday that he understands the offseason roster shuffle could result in him being removed from the roster and that he might have to sign a non-roster deal to get a spot in spring camp.
He's fine with it.
"I feel confident that when I'm healthy, really healthy, I'm as good as anybody in the game. I still believe that," Hamilton said. "When I come back to spring training, I don't expect anything. I expect to go out there and play. If I have to win a spot, that's fine with me. I'm going to be happy to be pain-free and playing again."
Hamilton spoke to the media for the first time since undergoing season-ending surgery on his left knee last month, after the unveiling of the Josh "Hambone" Hamilton Field at the MLB Urban Youth Academy in West Dallas.
The most significant part of the procedure was repairing a torn ACL, and some seven weeks later his surgeon said that Hamilton is ahead of schedule but that he needs to be patient as the knee continues to recover.
Hamilton splits his rehab between the Metroplex and Houston, depending on when he has custody of his daughters. He hopes to begin jogging perhaps as soon as next week.
"He said, 'Unusually good,' " Hamilton said of his conversation with Houston specialist Dr. Walt Lowe. "I said, 'What does that even mean, Doc.' He said, 'At five weeks, you're about where we want somebody at 3 { months.' "
Adrian Beltre also has made a donation to build an a turf infield for an soon-to-be built indoor facility. The third baseman said that he hopes the academy will help the players become quality citizens first, then quality ballplayers.
"It's nice to be able to help the community, the youth," Beltre said. "It's nice knowing how excited they are."
Toyota pledged a $1 million commitment to the facility and will work with the Texas Rangers Foundation for the implementation of programs that will benefit players and their families.
