Josh Hamilton, who played only 15 professional games from 2003-06 after being suspended for violating baseball’s drug policy, hit a two-run double in the fifth inning Wednesday as the Texas Rangers beat the Kansas City Royals, 6-1, in a Cactus League opener at Surprise, Ariz.

Hamilton was the first player taken in the 1999 draft. The Rangers acquired him in a December trade with the Cincinnati Reds.

“That guy just keeps his hands inside the baseball, and he’s strong,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said. “He generated bat speed. It was great. He just missed one in the first inning.”

Right-hander Luke Hochevar, first overall pick in the 2006 draft, pitched two perfect innings for the Royals. Hochevar, who is vying for a spot in the Royals rotation or as a reliever, did not allow the ball out of the infield.

“He was outstanding,” Royals manager Trey Hillman said. “I learned a little bit more about him, not only with what he did with his pitches. He was sick in the dugout after he pitched and didn’t say anything to me or the pitching coach. That tells me what kind of guy he is on the inside. That’s the kind of guy we want toeing the rubber.”

Elsewhere, AL strikeout leader Scott Kazmir will be sidelined for at least two weeks because of an elbow strain, although the Tampa Bay left-hander remains confident he’ll be ready for opening day.

Cubs second baseman Mark DeRosa will undergo a heart procedure in Chicago on Thursday to correct an irregular heartbeat. Team doctor Stephen Adams said DeRosa is expected to return to Arizona on Sunday.

The St. Louis Cardinals released utilityman Scott Spiezio after he was charged in a six-count complaint involving drunken driving and assault in a December car crash.

“We had heard some things about this,” Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said. “Ultimately nothing was ever confirmed to the level it was today. To have this warrant put out there, it completely changes the landscape of what we’re dealing with.”

A warrant was issued Tuesday by California police for Spiezio, who missed more than a month last year while getting treatment for substance abuse.

At Fort Myers, Fla., Francisco Liriano arrived at Minnesota Twins camp after missing the first nine days of spring training because of visa problems in his native Dominican Republic.

At Vero Beach, Fla., Dodgers pitcher Chad Billingsley was scratched from today’s spring-training opener against Atlanta because of tightness in his right groin.

At Winter Haven, Fla., Indians pitcher Jake Westbrook was scratched from his scheduled start in today’s spring opener because of soreness in his right arm.

In other spring training games:

Rockies 7, White Sox 3

Troy Tulowitzki homered on his first swing in Tucson, Ariz.

Phillies 8, Reds 1

At Clearwater, Fla., Jamie Moyer threw three scoreless innings.

Braves 8, Georgia 0

At Kissimmee, Fla., Five pitchers combined on a seven-hit shutout.

Tigers 4, Mets 2

At Lakeland, Fla., Mike Pelfrey faced the faced the minimum in two innings.

Cardinals 15, Saint Louis 2, 6 innings

At Jupiter, Fla., Colby Rasmus reached base all four times.

Pirates 5, Manatee Community College 0

At Bradenton, Fla., Doug Mientkiewicz had two hits and two RBIs.