ANAHEIM — Now that Mike Trout is back in the lineup, the next step is getting him back into right field.
He took a step toward that end on Friday afternoon by doing some drills in the outfield, the first time he had done that since going on the injured list because of a bone bruise in his left knee.
“He said he felt good,” Manager Ron Washington said. “It was just minimal motion. That’s all. Just minimal motion. Nothing that really challenged him. But it’s a start.”
Washington said Trout would work out again on Saturday and then take the day off from defensive drills on Sunday.
“I think personally, Mike’s gonna say he’s ready to go soon,” Washington said.
Having Trout back in the lineup is the most important part of the equation, as the three-time American League MVP demonstrated by hitting .476 with a 1.208 OPS in his first six games.
However, the roster has much more flexibility when Trout can play right field.
That frees up the DH spot for Jorge Soler, who has done a competent job in right but is best suited to have limited exposure in the outfield. Also, Washington currently wants Travis d’Arnaud to catch Kyle Hendricks and Yusei Kikuchi. On those days, if the DH spot isn’t open for Logan O’Hoppe, the Angels have one of their best hitters on the bench.
Soler returned to right field on Friday, after coming out of Wednesday’s game with groin tightness. He’s had that issue twice this season, which is further reason the Angels would prefer to have him at DH.
STEPHENSON UPDATE
Right-handed reliever Robert Stephenson underwent an MRI exam on Friday morning, and he was still awaiting the results.
Stephenson also said he had some scans earlier in the week in Boston, after he told reporters than no other tests had been prescribed.
Stephenson returned from a 13-month rehab from Tommy John surgery, only to get hurt in his second game back. He said he felt discomfort in the middle of his bicep. He was reassured by the fact that the issue wasn’t in his elbow or shoulder.
Stephenson said on Friday he still felt the same.
NOTES
The Angels optioned left-hander Sam Aldegheri to Double-A and activated right-hander José Fermin from the injured list. Aldegheri was recalled earlier in the week because the Angels needed coverage in the bullpen. He threw 49 pitches on Wednesday. The bullpen got a reset on Thursday’s off day. The Angels don’t currently have a true long reliever. Washington said Fermin can throw two innings, even though he hasn’t done it yet in the majors. …
Chris Taylor started on Friday for the third straight game at second base, which he said is his best defensive position. Washington said he’s hoping that putting Taylor at his most comfortable defensive spot will help get his bat going. Taylor was hitting .200 when the Dodgers released him, and then he hit .111 in his first six games with the Angels. Washington said he won’t be the everyday second baseman, though. The Angels also have Luis Rengifo, Scott Kingery and Kevin Newman to play second. “I’m trying to keep them all engaged,” Washington said. “There’s nobody that’s just taking it over.” …
Prospect Christian Moore, who might be the long-term answer at second, hit a 450-foot home run on Thursday at Triple-A Salt Lake. Moore has hit .333 with two homers and an .881 OPS in his first 15 games at Triple-A. …
Left-hander Garrett McDaniels (bicep tendinitis) averaged 93 mph and hit 95 mph with his fastball in the first game of his rehab assignment at Triple-A on Thursday night. McDaniels saw his velocity dip slightly, to 92 mph, during his final two games before he was placed on the injured list. McDaniels is a Rule 5 pick, so he can’t be in the minors after the 30 days of his rehab assignment expires on June 26.
UP NEXT
Mariners (RHP Luis Castillo, 4-3, 3.03 ERA) at Angels (RHP Jack Kochanowicz, 3-7, 5.34 ERA), Saturday, 6:38 p.m., FDSN West, 830 AM