ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton will begin his comeback from abdominal surgery as the designated hitter for Double-A Frisco.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Hamilton, who last played May 31, will lead off and get as many at-bats as possible for the RoughRiders tonight in their last game before the Double-A All-Star break.

Hamilton, who had surgery June 9, will then work out with the Rangers tomorrow. If all goes well, he will join Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday in Iowa and play multiple games there, including in the outfield.

"There have been no setbacks," Daniels said. "It has been a positive rehab so far."

Daniels said Hamilton took another round of batting practice yesterday before the Rangers played San Diego. Hamilton also ran the bases again, and even slid into bases.

Hamilton could rejoin the Rangers as early as next weekend against Toronto, in their final home series before the All-Star break. Texas then plays seven games on the West Coast before the break.

ORIOLES

UEHARA SIDELINED

The Orioles placed right-hander Koji Uehara on the 15-day disabled list yesterday and recalled pitcher David Hernandez from Triple-A Norfolk.

The 34-year-old Uehara (2-4) has right elbow tendinitis.

Hernandez (1-2) replaced Uehara as Baltimore's starter against the Washington Nationals yesterday. He allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings in a 5-3 loss.

TIGERS

ROBERTSON ON DL

The Detroit Tigers have placed left-handed pitcher Nate Robertson (1-0) on the 15-day disabled list with what they're calling "a mass" in his left elbow.

The team announced the move yesterday, retroactive to June 27.

To take his place on the roster, the Tigers purchased the contract of left-hander Fu-Te Ni from Triple-A Toledo.

ELSEWHERE

Dodgers: Manny Ramirez's minor league rehab tour didn't produce any hits yesterday, a day after he hit a leadoff homer for the Dodgers' Class A Inland Empire 66ers at San Bernardino, Calif.

Yesterday was the fourth minor-league rehab game for Ramirez, who is scheduled to return from his 50-game ban for violating baseball's drug policy and rejoin the Dodgers on Friday.

Cheers greeted each of his three hitless plate appearances, with only a touch of boos.

Athletics: Infielder Mark Ellis was reinstated from the disabled list before yesterday's game against the Colorado Rockies. Ellis has been on the DL with a strained left calf since April 29. The A's optioned first baseman Daric Barton to Sacramento.

Phillies: Left-hander Antonio Bastardo (2-3) will miss his next start because of a strained shoulder, the team said yesterday. Bastardo left in the fourth inning of his last start and returned to Philadelphia, where he is scheduled to see a doctor today.

Indians: Infielder Asdrubal Cabrera was activated from the 15-day disabled list and was in the lineup yesterday against Cincinnati. Cabrera had been sidelined since June 3 with a shoulder injury sustained in a collision at second base in Minnesota.