Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz are also expected to make their long-awaited returns from the disabled list Monday night as the Texas Rangers open up a series at home against the Chicago White Sox.
Like Utley and the Phillies, the Rangers' power duo is heading back to a team that's atop the standings with a half-game lead over the Los Angeles Angels. But they're also heading back to a team that has been struggling to score runs and is more than happy to welcome them back. Over the last 26 games, the Rangers are 10-16 with a .244 batting average and an average of 3.8 runs per game.
Cruz was around for some of that span, last playing on May 3 before bowing out with a strained quad. Hamilton, however, hasn't seen action since April 12, when he broke his humerus (arm)�sliding into home plate after trying to tag up on a foul pop-up (and not while throwing his third base coach under the bus afterward).
Both players finished successful rehab stints at Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday ? save for Hamilton being miffed over an intentional walk on Sunday ? and are said to be in Monday night's lineup. Hamilton will DH until he's fully cleared to play the outfield.
So, considering that the Rangers are a middling 24-23, this would appear to be their big chance to create some separation between themselves and the rest of the AL West. The Rangers got off to a very powerful start to the season, but have been somewhat average ever since with both of their big guns ailing. �Is this their chance? If Cruz and Hamilton can stave off their reputations as being injury prone and start producing like their (sometimes) healthy selves, you'd have to think so.
Gretha Cavazzoni Marla Sokoloff Jennifer Love Hewitt Tina Fey Gina Philips
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