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The Texas Rangers?placed injury-plagued outfielder Josh Hamilton on unconditional release waivers Tuesday, while leaving open the possibility of the former MVP rejoining the team on a minor league deal in 2017.Hamilton underwent season-ending surgery in June to repair torn cartilage in his left knee, and he said in late July that he?expects to be fully healthy and ready in time for spring training.The 35-year-old outfielder was activated off the 60-day disabled list and then placed on waivers. The move, which was expected, affords Hamilton the opportunity to return to the Rangers for spring training on a non-roster deal. If the Rangers hadnt placed him on waivers by the end of August, Hamilton wouldnt have been able to play for them until after May 15, 2017, per Major League Baseballs contract rules.Rangers general manager Jon Daniels told reporters in a conference call that he had discussed the move with Hamilton, most recently on Tuesday.Im hopeful that if hes healthy and our roster is in a spot where wed still like to have him back, we can work it out, Daniels said. But thats still a few steps down the line.Weve talked about it for a period of time, and he understands why we did it.In the series of moves, the Rangers also recalled right-hander Shawn Tolleson from the minors and put him on the 60-day DL, creating a spot for left-hander Derek Holland to return from the DL and start against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night.Hamilton had surgery June 8 to reconstruct his ACL, and he also had repairs done to his meniscus and lateral cartilage in the knee.That was Hamiltons third surgery on the knee since September, along with cortisone shots and a stem cell and platelet-rich plasma injection during spring training that may have led to more damage.Hamilton was a five-time All-Star and the 2010 AL MVP in his five seasons with the Rangers from 2008 to 12. He left in free agency and signed a $125 million, five-year contract with the AL West rival Los Angeles Angels.The Angels traded Hamilton back to Texas last year when he was coming back from shoulder surgery, and agreed to pay the Rangers for all of his $24 million salary this season and $22 million of the $24 million the outfielder is due in 2017, the last year of that contract. Hamilton played only 50 games last season, hitting .253 with eight homers and 25 RBIs.The Associated Press contributed to this report. Padres Jerseys 2020 .C. -- After a listless first half, the Washington Wizards used a big third quarter run to beat the Charlotte Bobcats Bradley Beal scored 21 points and the Wizards used a 17-0 run in the third quarter to take control of what had been a close game and beat the Bobcats 97-83 on Tuesday night. Fake Padres Jerseys https://www.cheappadresjerseys.us/ . It just didnt show when he hit the ice. Berra made 42 saves and Kris Russell scored at 1:32 of overtime, lifting the Calgary Flames to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night. Padres Jerseys 2019 . Louis Blues absence from top spot in the TSN. San Diego Padres Pro Shop . Halifax beat the Saint John Sea Dogs 7-5 on the strength of two goals apiece from Nikolaj Ehlers, Matt Murphy and Brent Andrews. Jonathan Drouin also scored and had three assists while Zachary Fucale made 17 saves for the Mooseheads (16-8-0), who led 6-1 after two periods. TORONTO -- Just over a month ago, right here at Air Canada Centre, Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock made a comment that now carries prophetic irony.While wearing his Team Canada hat in the midst of another unbeaten run in a best-on-best tournament, Canadas head coach was asked, following a round-robin victory on Sept. 21, about Team North Americas kids getting more love from fans and media than his juggernaut side.I like watching that team because theres tons of skill, Babcock said of the 23-and-under squad. I like winning more, though. I just want to win ...It was telling, perhaps, because 30-odd days later, he has one of the most entertaining, youthful sides in the NHL so far -- but one that has registered just one win in six games despite leading in five of those matches.Even when they found themselves down 5-1 in the third period on Tuesday night to the Stanley Cup contender?Tampa Bay Lightning, the baby-faced Leafs scored twice in the third period to make it interesting before eventually losing 7-3 -- all the while outshooting the Bolts 43-24.Win or lose, these Leafs arent going to be boring this season.Its fun to watch them, Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said a day before his team faced Toronto. I think its ... the new NHL, where teams have gone a bit younger. These guys just possess a ton of skill. Its almost akin to the North America team that I had a pleasure of being a part of [as assistant coach] -- just a lot of young guys who have a lot of skill and have a lot of fun playing the game. You can see it when theyre on the ice.The challenge ahead for Babcock is to groom these kids into a more consistent, polished outfit -- something like the offensively talented Lightning team thats been knocking at the championship door for a few years now.Imagine telling a Leafs fan before the season started that on the morning of Oct. 25, Auston Matthews, 19, would be leading the NHL in scoring, with 10 points (6-4); linemate William Nylander, 20, would be right behind with nine points (4-5); and Mitch Marner, 19, would already look like a polished, two-way NHLer because his overall game was so impressive. And then telling that same Toronto fan that his team was controlling the puck much of the time, too.Yeah, that Leafs fan would have taken it. And imagine that fans surprise when you told him or her that -- despite all that -- the team would have only one win in six games.The crux of the matter, of course, as evidenced by?Toronto newspaper reports?on Wednesday morning, was that offseason goalie acquisition Frederik Andersen has fallen on his face so far during his brief Leafs tenure.After Torontos?Jonathan Bernier?experiment did not work out (although I still believe no goalie would have looked good behind that Leafs roster the last few years), the Leafs went back to Southern California for a second consecutive time in an attempt to fix their goaltending woes. They traded to get Andersen from the?Anaheim Ducks?-- and then signed him to a five-year, $25 million contract thee same day.dddddddddddd.Andersen has given up 22 goals in five games and sports a .851 save percentage. A few of those seven goals he gave up on Tuesday night were as much a result of the brutal defensive coverage -- or lack thereof -- in front of him. But it has still been a disaster of a start to the season for the 27-year-old.Babcock has staunchly defended Anderson publicly -- what else is he going to do? But you know that, behind the scenes, management has to be nervous to some degree, even a grizzled veteran such as GM Lou Lamoriello. Theres a lot riding on this investment in goal.I liked him in Anaheim, said an Eastern Conference goalie coach via text message of Andersen. Was always concerned with his durability. Or his desire to play. Anaheim protected their goalies well. But he still made saves, won the Jennings [Trophy] by a goal and he was excellent in the last game [last season] against the Caps to clinch [the Pacific Division]. Its one thing to not make big saves. Its another to do uncharacteristic things and give up goals a junior could stop.I always say you dont lose your skills overnight, the coach continued. It will turn if [Andersen] has any mental toughness at all.Added a Western Conference goalie coach via text message: What I have seen [with Andersen] is busy feet. When hes not set, he has a tough time. I think he is one of the best. He has struggled, though.And finally, from an NHL scout: He looks really active in the net right now. Hes not allowing the play to come to him.Two things to ponder here with Andersen:1) He was always the 1B guy chasing the 1A guy in Anaheim, pushing Jonas Hiller and then John Gibson. He was the pursuer. Now, for the first time in his career, hes been handed the No. 1 job. Theres a mental adjustment with that.2) The Denmark native comes from a non-hockey market in Anaheim, where he played without too much fanfare, to the NHLs biggest market in Toronto, where the lights are shining bright.I asked Andersen after Tuesday nights game about point No. 2.Definitely an adjustment, he said of his move to hockey-crazed Toronto. But youve just got to keep doing what youre doing, dont try to change too much. I think thats something that Ive got to be better at, just play my game and then the results should come.I think they will come. Andersen showed too much promise in Anaheim not to be that guy again. But this is an awful way to get it going here in Toronto. And its a narrative that wont be easily discarded until Andersen really bears down. Every postgame loss analysis from here on out will begin by examining his performance.In the meantime, the Leafs should have more than one win this season. How that will affect the psyche of a young team remains to be seen.Yeah, its frustrating, for sure, Matthews said. But its a long season. Well stay positive in this room. Theres no doubt in our minds well get out of it. ' ' '