Angels concerned about setback for Josh Hamilton

Outfielder Josh Hamilton had hoped to rejoin the Angels’ lineup Monday, but he sat out a third consecutive game of his minor league rehabilitation assignment on Sunday, and the Angels aren’t sure when the slugger might return.

In the last at-bat of his first game at triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday, Hamilton was jammed by a fastball and experienced discomfort in his surgically repaired left thumb. He has not played since, and Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said the team’s medical staff would evaluate him.

The Angels play in Seattle starting Monday. Salt Lake plays in nearby Tacoma starting Tuesday, and Scioscia said the Angels could check Hamilton in Seattle. That would indicate Hamilton probably would not play for Salt Lake on Monday.

Hamilton has not played since April 9, when he tore a ligament in the thumb on a headfirst slide.

Hamilton is in the second year of a five-year, $125-million contract. In eight games this season, the five-time All-Star is batting .444 with two home runs, six runs batted in and a 1.286 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage).