Josh Hamilton feeling good after batting practice

Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton took batting practice in the cage Wednesday, and hopes to hit on the field Thursday as he works his way back from a bone bruise on his left thumb.

Hamilton will have to go back out on a rehab assignment after suffering a setback last week, but wants to clear at least one more hurdle. He is hitting without a protective splint on his hand, and wants to see how the thumb responds to hitting on a pitching machine that tosses balls out at a good velocity, according to MLB.com.

"The first few swings I took today I was a little timid," Hamilton said. "I was like, 'All right, cut it loose.' So I did, and it felt fine."