Josh Hamilton (thumb) is expected to begin taking batting practice this weekend. Hamilton said last week that he's aiming to return to the Angels' active roster around May 23-25. That may be slightly optimistic, but only slightly. He has been on the shelf since April 9 with a left thumb injury.

Josh Hamilton (thumb) will hit off a tee with both hands and play catch Friday in Arizona. Hamilton was seen hitting soft-toss balls with one hand before Wednesday's game. When the Angels return home from a six-game road trip on May 15, Hamilton hopes to have progressed to being ready for live batting practice. Hamilton said he's eyeing a return to the lineup during the Angels' series at home against the Royals on May 23-25.

Josh Hamilton (thumb) took soft-toss on the field before Wednesday's game. Hamilton was swinging with one hand as he works back from April surgery on his left thumb. Assuming he continues to progress, he'll graduate to taking live batting practice Friday. He's still a few weeks away from returning to the Angels.

Josh Hamilton (thumb) is expected to begin taking live batting practice Friday in Arizona. Hamilton needed surgery in mid-April for a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb and is likely to miss another 3-4 weeks. He is currently rehabbing at the Angels' spring training complex in Tempe.

Josh Hamilton (thumb) took one-handed swings Monday and is expected to resume baseball activities next week. Hamilton underwent surgery earlier this month to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his thumb and recently had his cast removed in favor of a splint. He was originally projected to miss around 6-8 weeks, placing his return somewhere around late May or early June, but the Angels are hopeful that he could make it back sooner.

Josh Hamilton (thumb) won't be allowed to perform any baseball activities until May 2. Hamilton has a soft cast on his surgically-repaired left thumb now but will replace it with a removable splint on Friday. The outfielder won't be back for the Angels until late May, at the earliest.

Josh Hamilton underwent successful surgery Friday to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb. He'll be on the shelf until at least June as he rehabs the injury. J.B. Shuck and Colin Cowgill are expected to be the primary beneficiaries of the injury, and will see increased playing time in the Angels outfield.

Angels placed OF Josh Hamilton on the 15-day disabled list with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb. Hamilton will have surgery in the coming days to repair the complete tear of the ligament. The injury will likely keep Hamilton out until June. Outfielder J.B. Shuck was recalled in a corresponding move.

Josh Hamilton will miss 6-to-8 weeks with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb. Hamilton will have surgery to repair the ligament after an MRI showed the tear on Wednesday. He injured the thumb sliding into first base during Tuesday's game. Outfielder J.B. Shuck was recalled to take Hamilton's roster spot.

X-rays on Josh Hamilton's left thumb came back clean, but he'll undergo an MRI on Wednesday. Hamilton had to be removed from Tuesday's game against the Mariners after he injured the thumb on a head-first slide into first base. The outfielder initially stayed in the game but noticed soreness while on defense and had to be pinch-hit for in a big situation in the ninth. "We'll keep our fingers crossed," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said, "but it's swollen."