PHILADELPHIA — Mike Trout returned from his four-day break feeling strong enough to do some work in right field.
“It went good,” Trout said after about 10 minutes worth of drills on Friday. “Just like a slow progression to get my feet under me, and then hopefully be back in the outfield soon.”
Trout, 33, has been limited to DH duty since returning from a bone bruise in his left knee on May 30. He did a couple of days worth of outfield drills a week after he returned, but felt enough discomfort that he stopped. He didn’t resume outfield work until Friday.
Trout said he’s expecting to take some fly balls off the bat during batting practice on Saturday, and they’ll progress from there.
“The stuff all felt good today,” Trout said. “It’s just the load, going out there for nine innings and running, and how I recover from that.”
If the Angels can get Trout back in the outfield, it would give them some more flexibility for their lineup. Jorge Soler was already having a below-average year, with a .687 OPS, before Trout returned and took over the DH spot. Since then, Soler has had to play the outfield to get in the lineup, and he’s posted a .583 OPS.
Having Trout in the outfield would allow Soler to get back to DH, and it would also give the Angels the option of using Taylor Ward or Jo Adell at DH occasionally.
All of that said, the Angels are not inclined to take any chances with Trout because they don’t want to jeopardize having him in the lineup.
Trout has hit .283 with eight home runs and a .911 OPS in 41 games since returning from the injured list. For much of that time, his production was mostly that he was drawing walks. In the five games before the break, Trout hit .353 with three homers and eight RBIs.
Trout now sits at 395 career homers and 995 RBIs.
A BULLPEN GAME
The Angels opted to deploy a bullpen game on Friday, pushing starters Yusei Kikuchi and José Soriano back to Saturday and Sunday, respectively, rather than starting with them immediately after the break.
Interim manager Ray Montgomery said it was “a logical question” to wonder why they wouldn’t simply give those pitchers the ball as soon as possible. He said he liked the opportunity to “give them a little bit of an extra day” after the break.
The Angels also prefer to have Tyler Anderson and Kyle Hendricks pitch in New York’s Citi Field than Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park, because it’s more pitcher-friendly.
The Angels currently have only four starters on the roster, because right-hander Jack Kochanowicz was optioned last week. The Angels are set to use Kikuchi, Soriano, Tyler Anderson and Kyle Hendricks in the next four games, with the final game in New York on Wednesday still to be determined.
BREMNER SIGNS
The Angels agreed to terms with first-round draft pick Tyler Bremner, for a reported bonus of just under $7.7 million, which is significantly under the $10.3 million slot value for the No. 2 overall pick. A right-handed pitcher, Bremner played at UC Santa Barbara.
The Angels used the savings on a variety of over-slot deals with high school players, most notably fifth-round pick C.J. Gray, a high school pitcher from North Carolina. Gray received $1.2 million, which was more than double the slot value.
The Angels on Friday also reportedly reached a deal with 12th-round pick Talon Haley, a left-handed high school pitcher from Mississippi who is committed to Vanderbilt. Haley signed for just under $900,000, which just about hits the limit of spending allowed in their bonus pool.
The Angels are expecting to sign all 21 of their draft picks, although there are some final details left to be settled.
NOTES
Utility man Chris Taylor (broken hand) had three hits, including a double, in a rehab game in the Arizona Complex League on Thursday. Taylor was hit in the thigh by a pitch. He was scheduled to DH on Friday. …
Second baseman Christian Moore (sprained thumb) is not with the Angels in Philadelphia. Montgomery said there’s nothing new on Moore’s progress. “I wish there was more to report,” Montgomery said. “Just time.” …
Third baseman Yoán Moncada was not in the lineup on Friday. The Angels were facing a lefty, and Moncada is still not at full strength when hitting from the right side. Montgomery said he hoped the four-day break helped Moncada’s knee. Moncada is expected to start against a righty on Saturday, and it remains to be seen if he’ll be able to hit right-handed against a lefty on Sunday.
UP NEXT
Angels (LHP Yusei Kikuchi, 4-6, 3.11 ERA) at Phillies (RHP Taijuan Walker, 3-5, 3.55 ERA), Saturday, 3:05 p.m. PT, FDSN West, 830 AM