Talk » Speaking to the Chicago Tribune at baseballs Winter M

CINCINNATI -- The Texas Rangers placed Josh Hamilton on unconditional release waivers Tuesday, though they hope his surgically rebuilt left knee is healthy enough to allow him to try for a spot with the team next season.Texas activated Hamilton off the 60-day disabled list and put him on waivers, a move that was expected. The 35-year-old outfielder had surgery on June 8 to reconstruct his ACL and repair cartilage damage. Hes hoping to be ready for spring training.It was Hamiltons third operation on the knee since September.General manager Jon Daniels said during a conference call that the move had to be done before the end of August, otherwise Hamilton wouldnt have been able to play for the Rangers until after May 15 next year under Major League Baseballs contract rules.Daniels 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.Hamilton is still rehabilitating the knee. Hes not expected to be cleared for workouts until December.Hamilton was the first overall pick in the 1999 June draft, but drug addiction nearly ruined his career. He returned to baseball with the Cincinnati Reds in 2007 and showed the promise that was nearly destroyed by drugs, batting .292 in 90 games with 19 homers and 47 RBI.The Reds traded Hamilton to the Rangers after the 2007 season in a deal for pitcher Edinson Volquez. Hamilton was a five-time All-Star with the Rangers and the 2010 AL Most Valuable Player. He left as a free agent after the 2012 season and signed a five-year, $125 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels.He was traded back to Texas last year, and the Angels agreed to pay the Rangers for all of his $24 million salary this season and $22 million of the $24 million he is due next year, the final year on his contract. He played in only 50 games last season, batting .253 with eight homers and 25 RBI.Hamilton opened this season on the DL recovering from knee surgery. During his first game of a rehab assignment, he felt discomfort in the knee and underwent surgery in June to rebuild the knee.Also Tuesday, the Rangers 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 disabled list and start against the Reds. Tolleson has a strained lower back.---AP Sports Writer Stephen Hawkins in Dallas contributed to this report.---Follow Joe Kay on Twitter: http://twitter.com/apjoekay Air Force 1 Alte Liberty . The veteran safety was a starter for the Bengals from 2008-2012. He totaled 41 tackles and three interceptions while starting all but four of the 13 games he played last season. Nike Sf Air Force 1 Mid Nere . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. http://www.airforce1outletitalia.it/scontate-air-force-1-alte-marble-pack.html . -- Jonathan Drouin gave Halifax the boost it needed to edge host Sherbrooke Phoenix 3-2 in a shootout in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Air Force 1 Alte 07 . Third-seeded Murray had the easiest path to victory on New Years Eve, barely breaking a sweat during his 6-0, 6-0 win over 2,129th-ranked Qatari wildcard recipient Mousa Shanan Zayed. Air Force 1 Alte Hand Wash Cold . Speaking to the Chicago Tribune at baseballs Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Boras called the former home of the Expos a "tremendous environment" for baseball. CINCINNATI -- The St. Louis Cardinals got regulars Brandon Moss and Jhonny Peralta back from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday.To make room on their 25-man roster, they put All-Star shortstop Aledmys Diaz on the DL. The Cardinals knew Diaz was headed to the DL after X-rays Monday revealed a hairline fracture in his right thumb. Andrew Cashner of the Miami Marlins hit Diaz in the hand with a 95 mph fastball on Sunday.The Cardinals also added lefty reliever Zach Duke to their roster two days after acquiring him from the Chicago White Sox for a minor-league outfielder. They optioned outfielder Randal Grichuk and reliever Dean Kiekhefer to Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday.Peralta missed time becausse of inflammation in his surgically repaired left thumb, and Moss was out with a sprained left ankle.ddddddddddddDuke said he was happy to be inserted into a pennant race. The Cardinals entered Tuesday eight games behind the Chicago Cubs?in the division?but in the thick of the NL wild-card race.I want the ball in pressure situations, for sure. If I wasnt going to get them with the White Sox, Im more than happy to get them over here, Duke said. It was a little bit of surprise and a little bit of relief that it was here that I got traded to. More joy than anything. ' ' '