NEW YORK — It turns out that Jorge Soler isn’t hitting better because he feels better.
He’s just learning better how to play when he’s not feeling right.
“My back is still bothering me,” Soler said through an interpreter Wednesday morning. “That’s why I’m doing less things, simple things, just being ready for the game.”
Soler hit .109 with a .289 OPS in the 15 games leading to his placement on the injured list. That stretch also coincided with Mike Trout’s return to the designated hitter spot, which forced Soler to play in the outfield whenever he was in the lineup.
Soler, 33, returned July 1, and he’s hit .268 with four homers and a .977 OPS in his first 14 games.
He’s been notably absent from the lineup regularly throughout that stretch, though. Soler has started 12 of 18 games, which is clearly a way of managing his back discomfort.
“Anytime he’s in the lineup, we’re better,” interim manager Ray Montgomery said. “Anytime he’s feeling 100%, we’re better. He’s been asked to do a lot more, obviously, with Mike at DH so much. And he’s playing the outfield and quite well. In my mind, it’s pretty good out there. So yeah, having that bat in the lineup, and you can see he can change the score with one swing.”
Trout, who hasn’t played the outfield since returning from a knee injury in late May, is slowly working his way back to being able to play right field. He began defensive workouts over the weekend in Philadelphia. He hasn’t done much this week in New York, but he said it’s because the pregame schedule for the road team doesn’t allow for as much extra work as at home.
Trout said he’s planning to continue the outfield work when the Angels return Thursday for a 13-game homestand.
“Once we get home, I can dial it in more,” Trout said.
O’HOPPE AT 3B?
Catcher Logan O’Hoppe spent about 15 minutes before Wednesday’s game taking ground balls at third and then another 10 minutes getting instruction from infield coach Ryan Goins.
O’Hoppe insisted afterward that he was “just messing around.” He said the session with Goins was because “I like learning.”
General manager Perry Minasian said earlier this month that he’s not thinking of a position switch with O’Hoppe, because he’s satisfied with the improvement he’s made behind the plate.
Still, it’s worth monitoring, particularly because the Angels could face an issue at third. Starting third baseman Yoán Moncada can’t currently hit against left-handed pitchers. Moncada and Luis Rengifo are candidates to be traded, which could lead to some situations later in the season when the Angels need to plug someone at third to finish a game.
NOTES
Right-hander Ryan Zeferjahn has allowed one earned run in five innings, with seven strikeouts, since his nightmare outing July 2 in Atlanta. Zeferjahn gave up two homers in that game, including a grand slam. Since then, he’s issued only one unintentional walk. On Tuesday night, he struck out All-Stars Brandon Nimmo, Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso. …
The Angels’ upcoming homestand will be their longest since 2011. The homestand was extended because the Aug. 4-6 series against the Tampa Bay Rays was originally scheduled to be played in St. Petersburg, Fla. When Tropicana Field’s roof was torn off by a hurricane, forcing the Rays to play outdoors, the series in April and August were swapped to allow the Rays to avoid some of the summer heat and rain.
UP NEXT
Mariners (RHP Logan Evans, 3-3, 3.81) at Angels (LHP Yusei Kikuchi, 4-6, 3.13), 6:38 p.m. Thursday, FanDuel Sports Network West, 830 AM