CLEVELAND (AP) -Rookie outfielder Josh Hamilton was sent back to Cincinnati by the Reds on Sunday to be checked out by team doctors one day after he was diagnosed with a stomach ailment.
The 25-year-old, who has made an inspirational comeback from drug and alcohol addiction, was taken to Lutheran Hospital at 5:45 a.m. on Saturday. The club said he had gastroenteritis, an inflammation or infection of the gastrointestinal tract.
Hamilton was released from the hospital, but remained in his hotel room when the Reds beat the Cleveland Indians 10-5 Saturday night.
“He was feeling a little bit better,” Reds manager Jerry Narron said following Cincinnati’s 5-3 loss Sunday. “He finally had something to eat. Hopefully, he’ll be better tomorrow and he’ll be able to play sometime early in the week.”
The Reds open a four-game series at home on Monday against the Washington Nationals.
Hamilton hasn’t played since Friday night. He struck out as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning of the Reds’ 9-4 loss, remained in the game in center field, and grounded out to end the game.
Hamilton’s comeback has been one of baseball’s most compelling stories this season. He was named the NL’s top rookie in April after hitting six homers and driving in 13 runs.
He had slumped of late, hitting only .167 with one RBI in his last 11 games. Overall, he’s batting .261 with eight homers and 18 RBIs in 37 games.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 1999 draft by Tampa Bay, Hamilton’s addiction to crack cocaine kept him out of baseball for more than three years. The Reds acquired him through a Rule 5 draft trade in December.
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