Josh Hamilton was diagnosed with a jammed right heel. Hamilton suffered the injury while chasing down a ball in the outfield during Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Rockies. It's not believed to be a serious issue, but the Rangers are likely to give the 30-year-old outfielder several consecutive days off to be safe.

Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine said during an appearance Tuesday on MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM that the team and Josh Hamilton have different definitions of a long-term contract. It's pretty easy to understand why there is a difference of opinion here. Hamilton recently inferred that he wouldn't give the Rangers a hometown discount, but it's hard to blame him since his next contract figures to be the only long-term deal of his career. The Rangers would obviously love to keep him if the price is right, but they should absolutely draw the line somewhere given that Hamilton turns 31 in May and comes with plenty of injuries and off-field question marks.

Josh Hamilton said Sunday that he expects to hit free agency but will give the Rangers the first opportunity to sign him. The Rangers have been discussing a long-term extension with the outfielder's representatives, but evidently the progress hasn't been encouraging. Hamilton, who is slated to earn $13.75 million in 2012 before hitting the market next winter, has said he will not give the Rangers a discount. The 30-year-old is coming off a season where he batted .298/.346/.536 with 25 home runs and 94 RBI and is looking to cash in on what will likely be his final opportunity at a big payday.

Josh Hamilton said that he won't give the Rangers any extra consideration during upcoming contract negotiations and that he will be making a business decision with his next contract. "The Rangers have done a lot for me, but I think I've given them everything I've had, and I don't think anybody can say I haven't,'' Hamilton said. ''When it comes down to it, what people don't understand, is this is a business. I'm not going to sit here and say I owe the Rangers, because I don't feel like I owe them." General manager Jon Daniels added that he doesn't expect Hamilton or agent Mike Moye to consider a team-freindly contract and that the ''only thing that is 'owed' is fairness and to be open-minded."

Josh Hamilton (sports hernia surgery) is full-go for baseball activities at the beginning of spring training. As expected. Hamilton underwent surgery back in November and has been progressing as expected since. He will not face any discipline from the team or MLB for his off-the-field slip-up and will be ready to rock for the start of the season. He's coming off a year where he batted .298/.346/.536 with 25 home runs and 94 RBI and is set to earn $13.75 million in 2012 before hitting free agency.

Rangers GM Jon Daniels confirmed Thursday that Josh Hamilton will face no discipline from the team or MLB. Hamilton had a relapse with alcohol earlier this month at a Dallas-Fort Worth bar. He's been going to counselling individually and with his wife since the incident, and is claiming to have a clear and focused head as the opening of spring training approaches. "We will take additional steps to support him," Daniels told the Dallas Morning News. "We will have more ability to help him during the season. There will be no formal discipline."

Josh Hamilton is receiving counseling individually and with his wife in the wake of his recent alcohol relapse. When he was 23 and seeking MLB reinstatement, Hamilton regularly attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and private counseling sessions. It is good news that he is returning to what worked before, as he strives to prevent alcoholism from impairing an exceptional baseball career.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Sunday that the Rangers are over budget and not likely to add any other free agents prior to the 2012 season. "You never want to shut the door," Daniels said. "There's a level of interest in both guys, but as far as a fit and payroll-wise, it's not as easy to see it." The Rangers avoided arbitration with Mike Napoli by agreeing to a one-year, $9.4 million contract over the weekend. Doing so apparently shuts the door on the acquisition of new talent. That means that Roy Oswalt, who still wants to play for Texas, probably needs to look elsewhere for employment, as does left-handed reliever Michael Gonzalez. In related payroll news, Daniels reiterated that contract extension talks with Josh Hamilton will be tabled while the outfielder sorts through his personal issues. "The contract is not really the priority with Josh right now -- his health and family are," Daniels said. "We all agreed to table things before we got to spring training."

Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com reports that the Rangers have hired Shayne Kelley as Josh Hamilton's new accountability partner. In fact, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said that Kelley traveled with Hamilton when he visited MLB and MLBPA doctors Monday in New York. His official title is a major league staff assistant, which makes sense given his diverse background. Not only has Kelley previously served as a college coach and minor league strength and conditioning coach with the Royals, he also served as the team chaplain at Alabama from 1996-99. He'll take the role vacated by Jerry Narron, who left to take the Brewers' hitting coach job this offseason.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said contract extension talks for Josh Hamilton will be tabled while the outfielder sorts through his personal issues. "Right now there's more important things to deal with," Daniels said. It's no surprise, obviously, after Hamilton had a relapse at a bar Monday night. The outfielder was very open and honest while talking to the media Friday, and the Rangers have told him they'll continue to support him. We can't help but wonder, though, if it will give the team more pause when it comes to forking out a big money extension.