PHOENIX -- Five weeks after feeling something snap in his left leg during pre-Spring Training workouts, Bill Hall snapped back impressively on Saturday.

The Milwaukee third baseman, relegated to rehabbing and watching through the first three weeks of Cactus League play, made his debut against the Dodgers in fine fashion.

It wasn't so much his first-pitch single off Clayton Kershaw in the second, or his vicious lineout in the sixth. The best sign of regained health was the stolen base in the second, on which he easily outraced catcher Russell Martin's throw.

"Everything felt great. Back to normal. All is healthy," Hall said. "I just want to get back to being the player I've been.

"One-for-three with a hard line-drive out is not a bad way to get back into it. I put some pretty good swings on those balls."

Hall wants to flash back further than 2008, when he hit .225 with 15 homers and 55 RBIs. More like it is 2006, when he smashed 35 homers and drove in 85 runs while hitting .270.

His preparation for that return to the past had been impeccable. Lasik surgery sharpened his eyesight, and he also shed 15 pounds.

Then his perfect offseason crumbled two days before he was to report to camp. Doing resistance workouts with rubber bands, he "felt something snap as I was running."

"At first, I thought the band snapped. But then I took another step and realized my calf wasn't right."

He'd incurred a slight tear in the left calf. Even "slight" meant no baseball action for five weeks.

Saturday went a long way toward overcoming that frustration.

"For a while, I was hesitant about turning loose," Hall said. "I didn't want to risk taking a step back. But it felt good out there. I'll just continue to take treatments, and keep improving."

He's not yet in everyday shape. Brewers manager Ken Macha will sit him Sunday, and perhaps return him into the mix for Monday's home game against the Cubs.

"He seemed to have no problems," said Macha, evaluating Hill's debut. "It was extremely encouraging."