Veteran outfielder Josh Hamilton has been cleared to begin baseball activities and will soon work out for the Texas Rangers with an eye toward signing a minor league contract with the team for 2017, an MLB source confirmed to ESPN on Thursday.Hamilton, 35, was a five-time All-Star with the Rangers from 2008 to 2012 and won the American League MVP award in 2010. He had reconstructive surgery on his left knee in June, and the Rangers placed him on unconditional release waivers on Aug. 23. The Rangers had to make the move before the end of August or they wouldnt have been able to bring back Hamilton until after May 15, 2017, under MLB rules.General manager Jon Daniels told the The Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Wednesday that Hamilton will work out before Christmas and could sign a minor league contract shortly after that if his audition goes well.Hamilton, selected No. 1 overall in the 1999 first-year player draft by Tampa Bay, endured a lengthy struggle with drug and alcohol abuse before making his major league debut with the Cincinnati Reds in 2007. He ascended to stardom in Texas before leaving to sign a five-year, $125 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels in December 2012.Hamilton was a major disappointment on the field before suffering a drug and alcohol relapse in Los Angeles, and the Angels agreed to pay most of the $80 million left on his contract when they traded him to Texas in April 2015. Los Angeles is on the hook for $22 million of the $24 million owed Hamilton next season, with the Rangers responsible for the other $2 million.Hamilton has a chance to win a job in Texas if he can summon some of his old skills. The Rangers projected depth chart consists of Nomar Mazara in left field, Carlos Gomez in center and Shin-Soo Choo in right, with Joey Gallo, Jurickson Profar and Ryan Rua set to compete at first base and a variety of options available to manager Jeff Banister in the DH slot.A source familiar with Hamiltons rehab said the outfielder is very optimistic about the condition of his knee post-surgery. Hamilton has been instructed to proceed slowly with a goal of being at full strength by the start of spring training, the source said. Carlos Correa Jersey . Ivanovic was leading 7-5, 1-0 when Hantuchova withdrew after falling 0-40 behind in the second game. The match started slowly for Ivanovic, who surrendered her first two serves as Hantuchova took a 5-3 lead. 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Max Whitlock, gymnastics -- 6.28 p.m. BST?Max Whitlock became Britains first Olympic gymnastics champion when he produced a flawless routine on the floor apparatus for a surprise gold.Justin Rose, golf -- 7.46 p.m. BSTJustin Rose wrote his name into the history books when he claimed golfs first Olympic gold for 112 years.The world No. 12 edged out Open champion and Ryder Cup teammate Henrik Stenson -- who is also a neighbour in Lake Nona, Florida -- in a thrilling final-round battle at Reserva de Marapendi.The Briton carded a closing 67 to finish 16 under par and two shots ahead of Stenson, with American Matt Kuchar claiming bronze after a superb 63.The outcome was only decided on the 72nd hole when Rose pitched to three feet to set up a decisive birdie and Stenson missed his attempt from long range, the 40-year-old Swede also missing the return putt for par.Max Whitlock, gymnastics -- 8.13 p.m. BSTNot two hours had passed when Whitlock added a second gong on his favoured apparatus of the pommel horse, with British teammate Louis Smith claiming silver.dddddddddddd.Giles Scott, sailing -- 8.46?p.m.?BSTOn the water, sailor Giles Scott took an unassailable lead in the mens Finn class ahead of Mondays final race. Barring a protest, the 29-year-old will be presented with his gold medal on Tuesday.Jason Kenny, cycling -- 9.52 p.m. BSTJason Kenny claimed his fifth Olympic gold as Callum Skinner had to settle for silver in the mens sprint at the Olympic Velodrome.The 28-year-old Kenny beat his roommate Skinner 2-0 to join fellow cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins and rower Sir Steve Redgrave on five career gold medals.Andy Murray, tennis -- 1.04 a.m. BSTHaving won his second Wimbledon title last month, Andy Murray battled to become the first tennis player, man or woman, to win two gold medals. A second U.S. Open title on the cards in the coming weeks? ' ' '