Josh Hamilton

Josh Hamilton (back) is out of the Rangers’ starting lineup for the second straight day Tuesday.

Josh Hamilton (back) is not in the Rangers’ starting lineup Monday night versus the Blue Jays.

Hamilton was pulled in the second inning of Sunday’s game against the Rays after complaining of back spasms. He told reporters that he would be ready to play Monday, but the Rangers have apparently decided to play it safe. The 30-year-old is batting .395/.438/.744 with nine dingers and 25 RBI in 22 games this season.

Josh Hamilton (back) expects to play Monday.

Hamilton made an early exit from Sunday night’s game against the Rays after experiencing back spasms. He’s had the problem before and told reporters that it usually only takes 12 hours for a full recovery. The 30-year-old outfielder is batting .395/.438/.744 with nine home runs and 25 RBI in 22 games this year, and must be considered the early favorite for American League MVP.

Josh Hamilton was removed from Sunday night’s game against the Rays in the second inning with a stiff back.

Hamilton tried to play through the injury by grimacing through stretches in the field for an inning. He is day-to-day. David Murphy replaced Hamilton in left field. Texas’ next series is in Toronto on the turf, so one wonders if that may affect Hamilton’s timetable.

Josh Hamilton connected on his AL leading ninth homer of the season in the Rangers loss to the Rays on Friday.

Hamilton finished the game 1-for-5 with three RBI. The two-run blast off of James Shields in the fifth inning was of the no doubt variety to center field. If the season were to end today, his .378 average with nine homers and 22 RBI would make him the leading candidate for AL MVP honors. The only question with Hamilton is whether or not he can stay healthy for a full season.

Josh Hamilton launched his eighth homer in Monday’s loss to the Yankees.

The solo shot, which was his lone hit of the game, came in the sixth inning of CC Sabathia. Hamilton leads the American League with his eight bombs and trails Matt Kemp by just one while also sporting a .408 batting mark.

Josh Hamilton told reporters Sunday that he’s no longer bothered by the sun during day games.

“I’m putting those drops in my eyes and I’ve got some shades I like for the field,” Hamilton said. “I got it figured out toward the end of last year.” He hit just .220 in day games in 2011. This season, he’s off to a 12-for-24 (.500) start in daylight and batting .418/.438/.776 overall.

Josh Hamilton kept up his torrid hitting in Sunday’s 11-inning win in Detroit, going 3-for-3 with a home run, walk, two RBI, run scored and stolen base.

He took Drew Smyly deep for a solo shot in the first. The heart of the Rangers’ unstoppable lineup is now batting .418/.438/.776, and has homered five times in his past eight games, all of which have come on the road. It’s still extremely early, but there’s no reason to believe Hamilton won’t be a prime contender for his second MVP award in three seasons if he can stay on the field.

Josh Hamilton was 2-for-3 with a three-run homer in a blowout win over the Tigers on Saturday.

Hamilton’s three-run blast came in an eight-run first inning against right-hander Rick Porcello. He’s now batting an AL-best .424 (25-for-59) with six homers, three doubles, 15 RBI and a 1.224 OPS over 14 games.