CLEVELAND (AP) -Cincinnati rookie outfielder Josh Hamilton, who has made an inspiring comeback from alcohol and drug addiction, was taken to a hospital Saturday with a stomach problem.
Hamilton was transported by ambulance to Lutheran Hospital at 5:45 a.m. A Reds spokesman said Hamilton was diagnosed with gastroenteritis, an inflammation or infection of the gastrointestinal tract.
Hamilton returned to the team’s downtown hotel. The Reds said he was day to day.
The 25-year-old has quickly become a favorite with Cincinnati fans, who have admired both his ability to turn his life around and his all-around game. He was named the NL’s top rookie in April after hitting six homers and driving in 13 runs.
He has been in a recent slump and entered Saturday’s game against the Indians batting just .167 (5-for-30) with one RBI in his last 10 games. Overall, he’s batting .261 with eight homers and 18 RBIs in 37 games.
Hamilton was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1999 draft by Tampa Bay, but an addiction to crack cocaine knocked him out of baseball completely for more than three years. He got off drugs in October 2005 and began his comeback. The Reds acquired him through a Rule 5 draft trade in 2006.
Hamilton has openly shared his story of addiction.
“I don’t get tired of it and it’s good for me to talk,” Hamilton said Friday before the Reds and Indians opened a three-game series at Jacobs Field. “Seeing each ballpark in each city is a thrill. Some fans come to boo and some come to say a prayer for me. I hear a lot of things.
“All I can say is I’m excited and grateful to be playing.”
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