Angels near deal to send Josh Hamilton back to Rangers

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are close to a deal with the Rangers to send injured outfielder Josh Hamilton back to Texas, according to MLB.com.

Hamilton, who has a history of substance-abuse problems, admitted to major-league officials earlier this spring that he had relapsed on cocaine and alcohol. However, an arbitrator determined that he did not violate the terms of his drug-treatment program, sparing him a potential multigame suspension.

Hamilton played for Texas during 2008-2012 and was an All Star each year. In 2010, he was both the AL regular-season MVP and the ALCS MVP.

He signed with the Angels before the 2013 season on a five-year deal worth $125 million. But he has struggled in LA, batting .255 and hitting 31 home runs in his two seasons there after batting .305 and averaging 28 homers a year in his five years in Texas.

Hamilton had one RBI and zero hits in 13 at-bats against the Royals in last year’s American League Division Series. He had offseason shoulder surgery and has not played this year.

He played his rookie year in 2007 with the Cincinnati Reds, who traded him during the offseason to the Rangers for Danny Herrera and current Royals pitcher Edinson Volquez.

This story was originally published April 24, 2015 at 5:42 PM with the headline "Angels near deal to send Josh Hamilton back to Rangers."