Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton was forced to depart Sunday night's eventual loss to the Rays because of a stiff back. Hamilton left the game after the second inning, and David Murphy replaced him in left field. Anthony Andro of FOXSports Southwest tweets that Hamilton is expected to be back in the lineup on Monday, although that's assuming the long flight from Dallas to Toronto doesn't cause him further problems.
It's not certain when Hamilton sustained the injury, although he did seem to experience some discomfort in his hand and lower back following a first-inning slide into second base (pictured above).
In his career, Hamilton has lost more than 200 games to injury and been on the disabled list on five separate occasions. In 2009, he missed time because of a neurological injury in his lower back, although, of course, there's no indication that Sunday's injury is in way related or as serious.
Hamilton is hitting a robust .395/.438/.744 on the young season.
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