CLEVELAND (AP) -Rookie outfielder Josh Hamilton was sent back to Cincinnati by the Reds on Sunday to be checked out by team doctors a day after he had been diagnosed with gastroenteritis.
The 25-year-old outfielder had been taken to the hospital by ambulance early Saturday. A Reds spokesman said he was diagnosed with an inflammation 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.
It is not known whether Hamilton will be available Monday when the Reds open a four-game series at home against the Washington Nationals.
Hamilton struck out as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning of the Reds’ 9-4 loss Friday night, remained in the game in center field, and grounded out to end the game.
His comeback from alcohol and drug addiction has been one of baseball’s most inspiring 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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