NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Josh Hamilton is starting over, calling his return to baseball a “small miracle.”

The former American League MVP spoke Sunday before starting his rehab stint with the Round Rock Express against the Nashville Sounds. He’s recovering from shoulder surgery Feb. 4 and had been working in the Texas Rangers’ extended spring program in Arizona since April 28.

“It’s really a small miracle that I got back here because it was a whole, big, long, ugly process,” Hamilton said. “I feel like the Lord had his hand on it to get me back here. I feel like I’m in the place I’m supposed to be in now.”

He played in three extended spring training games last week before the Rangers stepped up his rehabilitation by sending him to the Express.

Hamilton went 1 for 3 with a single and two strikeouts before being pulled after five innings of work. Facing a 2-1 count in the first inning, Hamilton slapped a hit into shallow left field. Former Cy Young winner Barry Zito struck Hamilton out twice, once swinging and once looking, in the 7-0 loss to Nashville.

“I was a little jumpy at the plate, which is to be expected,” Hamilton said.

The former MVP only had to play one ball in left field, a line-drive roller to the corner.

“I think we liked what we saw,” Round Rock Manager Jason Wood said. “Physically, he looked great. He was moving really well in the outfield. It’s just nice to see him back on the field again, and in good spirits.”

Hamilton said his body feels good, which is important. He also has no clue on when he joins the Rangers. He will remain with Round Rock in Nashville for Monday night’s game and head home with the Express for a four-game series with Omaha.

COORS FIELD was shoveled out from a snowstorm in time for the Colorado Rockies to play the Los Angeles Dodgers.

An overnight storm dropped up to 5 inches in parts of the Denver area. The grounds crew spent Sunday morning shoveling the outfield and taking the snow out of the stadium in small bulldozers.

An hour before Sunday’s first pitch, the sun was shining, the field was completely clear of snow and the infield was dry and ready for baseball, even if temperatures were in the low 40s at game time.

TIGERS: David Price’s next start is being pushed back two days to Saturday as the left-hander recovers from a right hamstring strain.

ATHLETICS: Right-hander Jarrod Parker, recovering from Tommy John surgery more than a year ago, broke a bone in his elbow during a rehab game with Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

Parker threw wildly to the plate and collapsed just off the mound. X-rays and a CT scan on Saturday revealed a fracture of the medial epichondyle bone. It was unclear how much the injury would set back his recovery.

BLUE JAYS: The team placed outfielder Michael Saunders on the 15-day disabled list with left knee inflammation.