CINCINNATI -- The Rangers requested release waivers on Josh Hamilton on Tuesday in a move that is designed to give him the chance to begin 2017 with the club.

By releasing him before Sept. 1, the Rangers can re-sign him to a minor league contract and have him in the majors before May 15 of next season. If they released him after Sept. 1, they would be prohibited from bringing him to the majors before May 15.

"We've talked about the possibility with him," general manager Jon Daniels said. "He understands what the move means and why we did it. I don't know how it will play out, but he's got family and community reasons to be here. There is mutual desire if things continue to check out to continue the relationship."

Hamilton, 35, did not play this year because of reconstructive knee surgery. Last month, during an event at the dedication of an RBI youth field in his honor, he said he was willing to return to the club on a minor league deal and win a job next spring.

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Hamilton is expected to be cleared to return to baseball activity in December and would then likely workout for clubs, including the Rangers, before any decision is made on re-signing him.

The move does nothing to mitigate any financial commitments owed Hamilton. Hamilton is still owed $28.4 million for 2017. The Los Angeles Angels are responsible for $26.4 million with the Rangers taking on the other $2 million. If the club re-signs him to a minor league contract for the major league minimum, it will owe him nothing above its current financial commitment.