ANAHEIM ― The Angels, and the American League All-Star team, breathed a big sigh of relief Wednesday.
MRI and CT scans on Mike Trout’s sore back revealed no structural damage, and the center fielder is day-to-day after experiencing spasms Tuesday night. Trout was not in the lineup Wednesday night against the Houston Astros, but was potentially available off the bench pending treatment.
Angels head athletic trainer Mike Frostad said Trout first reported symptoms during the Angels’ series in Miami last week.
“Coming back from Baltimore he felt pretty good,” he said. “That long flight didn’t help a lot. That’s part of the game. We just have to deal with that.”
The three-time American League MVP was elected to appear in his 10th All-Star Game (as a starter) on Tuesday at Dodger Stadium. Frostad said the injury should not affect his availability for the game.
The Angels recalled Jo Adell from Triple-A Salt Lake for the third time this season, and designated outfielder Monte Harrison for assignment. Luis Rengifo moved up to the No. 3 spot in the lineup, between Taylor Ward and Jared Walsh, with Adell playing right field. Ward shifted to center.
Harrison, 26, went 2 for 11 with a home run in nine games following his promotion from Triple-A Salt Lake. He signed a minor league contract with the Angels after being released by the Marlins in spring training.
MORE ADELL
Adell had reached base in each of the 13 games he played for Triple-A Salt Lake since returning from a knee injury on June 26. He batted .327/.417/.769 during that span, improving his full-season slash line to .239/.333/.587 at Triple-A.
The statistics say otherwise, but in Adell’s mind, there was no turning point in his season.
“I don’t think there was anything specific, just keep pounding my early work,” he said. “Just playing the game, just trying to get better and be better. Every time I get a chance, try to take notes on what I did when things didn’t go well, go back and compete again. The more that I understand myself, the better I am. That’s kind of how this game is.”
In 25 games for the Angels prior to Wednesday, Adell hit .250 with three home runs and 10 RBIs. To the extent that he is replacing Trout in the lineup, interim manager Phil Nevin said the short-term nature of Trout’s injury suggests “there’s no pressure.”
“Knowing Jo’s personality, his makeup, he’s a big-league player,” Nevin said. “He’s got all the confidence in the world. That’s an asset for him, something that I think is a huge strong suit for him.”
ALSO
Relief pitcher Jimmy Herget did not report any issues after his bullpen session Tuesday, and the right-hander remains on track to return shortly after the All-Star break, Frostad said. Herget is 2-1 with a 3.72 ERA in 25 games this season.
UP NEXT
Houston (LHP Framber Valdez, 8-4, 2.64) at Angels (LHP Reid Detmers, 2-3, 4.22 ERA), Thursday, 5 p.m., Bally Sports West, 830 AM
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