Hamilton goes on DL only 7 games into return with Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton was put on the 15-day disabled list Thursday, only seven games into his return to the majors.

The Rangers made the move before a series finale against the Chicago White Sox after saying the previous night Hamilton will be sidelined about four weeks because of a strained left hamstring.

Left-hander Ross Detwiler was activated from the disabled list.

Hamilton had a game-ending, two-run double as pinch-hitter Sunday, then missed two games with tightness before an MRI. He was hitting .273 with two home runs and five RBIs.

He second-guessed himself for aggravating a tight hamstring.

''Everything in me said, ''You should probably wrap your leg,'' he said. ''And it's like, no, I don't need to wrap it. It will be good for one at-bat. It''s a lesson learned.''

''It's frustrating more than anything. You do all the work to get back to this point I''ll be going every day to get right and get ready, so that when I come back I'll be able to make that immediate impact.''

Detwiler was activated after an injury rehabilitation assignment with Double-A Frisco. He was 0-5 in seven starts before left shoulder inflammation. He will work out of the Rangers bullpen after being a reliever last season for Washington.

The roster moves left Texas with only three position players on its bench. Delino DeShields and Jake Smolinski could play left field while Hamilton is out.

Manager Jeff Banister said he does not expect Joey Gallo, a major leaguer for only three days, to shift from third base to left field.

''Joey could go play in the outfield, but I''d really like to just allow this young man to kind of settle in,'' Banister said.

Outfielder-first baseman Kyle Blanks (surgery on a pilonidal cyst) could return from the disabled list as early as Sunday at Kansas City. He is accompanying the Rangers on their trip.

''Probably more like Tuesday, since we''re off on Monday,'' Banister said. ''The last thing we want to do is swing the bat, go run and try to bust it out of the box and stretch a double.''