Major League Baseball

Back from calf injury, Hamilton plays in spring game

Published Mar. 17, 2014 7:41 p.m. ET

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TEMPE, Ariz. -- Josh Hamilton returned for Los Angeles, and Kole Calhoun's big swing lifted the Angels to the spring win.

Not a bad day at all for Mike Scioscia's club.

Hamilton had an infield single in his first spring game in the Angels' 8-7 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Monday. Calhoun belted a winning two-run homer off Jean Machi with one out in the ninth.

Hamilton went 1 for 3 for the split squad. The five-time All-Star and 2010 AL MVP has been hampered by a sprained left calf muscle.

Hamilton started a three-run fourth inning against Tim Lincecum with a base hit off first baseman Mark Minicozzi's glove. The designated hitter also bounced into a force play in the first and lined to right in the fifth.

Hamilton told reporters by phone that he felt good after his first outing.

''I got on base and I tried to steal and did the things I'm supposed to be doing.'' he said.

Hamilton took off from first on a 3-2 pitch to David Freese in the fourth, but Freese was hit by the pitch.

Hamilton struggled last season, hitting .250 with 21 homers and 79 RBI after signing a five-year, $125 million contract. He hit .285 with 43 homers and 128 RBIs in 2012 in his final season with Texas.

Scioscia said the slugger looked comfortable.

''He was running well and that's great to see,'' Scioscia said. ''He's got to get out and play the outfield. We'll see how it goes, then. There are still some hurdles. We're not going to work too far ahead right now.''

Hamilton said he would not play in Tuesday's game at the Chicago Cubs.

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