An AL first: Texas' Hamilton wins monthly award again

Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton, who has made an inspiring comeback from drug and alcohol abuse, was chosen as the American League player of the month for May on Monday.

Hamilton became the first American League player to win the monthly award in April and May the same season.

"I come to the park, I know what I need to do to get ready for the game and I do it. Nothing is going to change," Hamilton said. "I want to work harder and I want to do better."

Hamilton went into a Monday night game against Cleveland hitting .328 with a major-league-best 63 RBI, 13 more than the next-closest player. He led the AL with 15 homers, 77 hits and 25 multihit games. Hamilton had 8 homers and 29 RBI in May, when the Rangers won 19 games for their winningest month since June 1983.

"This guy played better in May than he did in April, and I hope he plays better in June than he did in May," manager Ron Washington said. "He's doing everything."

Lance Berkman of the Houston Astros won the National League award for May after hitting .471 for the month with 9 homers.

Sosa welcome to play Classic: Sammy Sosa, who is fifth on baseball's career home run list with 609, is welcome to represent the Dominican Republic in next year's World Baseball Classic, the team's general manager said Monday.

"Sammy has an open door to play in the Classic," Dominican general manager Stanley Javier told The Associated Press.

Last month, Sosa said he would like to play in the World Baseball Classic.

Ortiz gets MRI on wrist: Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz missed a second straight game Monday after undergoing an MRI on his ailing left wrist.

Ortiz (.252, 13 HRs, 43 RBI) sprained his wrist while swinging at a pitch Saturday night in a game against the Baltimore Orioles. He missed Sunday's game, then left the team for Boston, where he underwent an MRI on Monday.