Josh Hamilton hasn't played in 20 of the last 22 games with leg and back pain caused by a sciatic nerve. The injury is ending what has been a hugely disappointing season for the slugger. He was center stage at last year's All-Star Game at the Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium, but has struggled since then. He's batting .268 with 10 homers and 54 RBIs in just 89 games. That's not even close to last year's .304 average with 32 homers and 130 RBIs in 156 games.

But because Hamilton's been cleared by a few spine specialists, questions have come up about his toughness. Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist Jim Reeves had this today:

Manager Ron Washington continues to hold out hope that Hamilton, who had played in two straight games Friday and Saturday after missing 19 in a row, will play again and doctors have told the Rangers that he can't hurt himself further by playing, that it's just a matter of pain tolerance now. And that, friends, is another kettle of mackerel, because now the whispers about Hamilton's ability, or willingness, to play with pain have begun.

Reeves points out that Hamilton was unlucky to end up injured the same time Michael Young, Mr. Toughness on the Rangers, was dealing with a hamstring issue. So the timing isn't great.

But I also think it's dangerous to question someone's toughness even though doctors have cleared them. Only Hamilton knows how he's feeling. And if he is in real pain, that can impact how he swings the bat and whether he's even helping the team out there. This season does raise questions about his durability, something that was likely a big reason the club didn't reach an agreement with him on a long-term deal prior to the season.

Do you question Hamilton's toughness? Should he play as much as he can this week or shut it down for the rest of the season?

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