Hamilton (ribs) is confident he'll play in Thursday's Game 1 of the ALDS, Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com reports. Hamilton missed 22 of the team's final 23 games of the regular season due to shoulder and rib ailments, but he received a series of pain-killing injections last week and it seems the treatment is working. The five-time All-Star said he felt good during batting practice Monday and is now set to face live pitching Tuesday, as he looks to convince the coaching and training staffs that he is indeed good to go.

Hamilton (ribs) will be thrown batting practice over the next few days and the decision about whether or not to put him on the ALDS roster will hinge on how he looks, Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports. Even if he were to make the postseason roster, there's a chance he wouldn't be used as an everyday player based on how much he has struggled. Collin Cowgill still figures to see a lot of the action in left field.

Hamilton (ribs) is expected to face live pitching on Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports. If everything goes according to plan, Hamilton will take batting practice on both Monday and Tuesday in anticipation of replicating live game action Wednesday. He'll need to get through that successfully if the Angels want to count on using him in the playoffs.

Hamilton (ribs) is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Mariners, according to MLB.com's Alden Gonzalea. Hamilton was scheduled to take swings Saturday, but it appears he is still not ready to return to the lineup. He will have just once more chance to play before the regular season comes to a close.

Hamilton will resume swinging the bat Saturday and will reportedly need to face velocity if before the playoffs to determine whether or not he will be on the postseason roster, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports. Hamilton reportedly has no doubt that he will be ready for the playoffs, but his manager wants to see more from him before determining whether or not to place him on the roster. Swinging the bat is a step towards returning, but being able to swing against live pitching is a bigger test.

Hamilton (ribs) said he has "no doubt" that he will be ready to play in the postseason, the Orange County Register reports. Hamilton said Wednesday that the pain in his ribs is gone, thanks to seven pain-killing injections to the region last weekend. While he's confident that he'll be fine when the ALDS commences next Thursday, Hamilton seems to have come to terms with not playing again during the regular season. "There's no sense in me coming back and having the issue," Hamilton said. He added that he figures to get into some sort of simulated game during the three days between the regular season and the playoffs.

Hamilton (ribs) got treatment Wednesday, but didn't take any swings and it's still not clear if he will be able to return Friday, MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez reports. Hamilton's status for the rest of the regular season remains very murky, and given his lack of production when he's been on the field this season, he may not be worth holding onto in standard leagues at this point.

Hamilton (ribs) could return Friday against the Mariners, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports. An MRI on Hamilton's abdominal area last weekend revealed rib cage inflammation, resulting in a whopping seven pain-killing injections in his back and chest. Fortunately, the treatment seems to be doing the trick, as Hamilton was able to hit off a tee both Monday and Tuesday. While it's no lock he returns Friday, it does sound like Hamilton will be available in some capacity for the final series of the regular season.

Hamilton (ribs) hit off a tee Monday, MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez reports. Hamilton appears to be making progress, but it's unlikely he plays in the current series against the Athletics. According to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange Country Register, the slugger could be available to play in the team's final regular season series against the Mariners, at the earliest. Hamilton will likely see a few at-bats there, which will help manager Mike Scioscia decide how best to use the outfielder in the postseason.

Hamilton is not in Sunday's lineup against the Rangers, Eric Kay of the Angels reports. Hamilton's rib inflammation remains problematic and painful, forcing him to receive seven pain-killing injections in his back and chest. Hamilton could return later in the week, but his pain could further hurt his play and the Angels are comfortably in the lead for home-field advantage. For now, priming Hamilton for the postseason will be goal number one for the team.