Mike Trout eyeing return to outfield soon

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- After having a two-home performance Wednesday night, passing former Angels outfielder Jim Edmonds on the all-time home run list, Mike Trout said he is eyeing a return back to the Los Angeles Angels outfield.

While the timetable remains unknown when he will be back, Trout said after next week's All-Star break, he is planning on resuming drills in the outfield and plans on making his return to right field.

"I think after the break. Start doing drill back in the outfield and get back out there," Trout said. "I'm not putting any day on it but I think having a couple days off for the break."

"I still feel a little achy here and there but I think the four days will give me some time to rest a little bit and come back and do some outfield stuff and see how it feels."

Since returning from the injured list on May 30 due to a bone bruise on his right knee, the same knee he had surgery on last season due to a torn meniscus. Trout has been a full-time Designated Hitter for the Angels. Before the season began, the Angels traded for former World Series MVP, slugger Jorge Soler, to become the team's DH. But with Trout's injury, Soler has been playing out in right field.

As he was progressing and making a return after his time on the IL, that came to a stop after Trout was feeling soreness again in his knee.

"The idea coming into the year was that Mike in right would get him the reps he needed out there and DH would be open," Angels interim manager Ray Montgomery said. "Obviously we could use that for other guys too. Currently it's kind of a bit of a log jam so we're working through it."

Montgomery went on to praise Soler for the work he's done out in right.

Since Trout has come back from the injured list, he has been batting .278 with 7 homers and 18 RBIs in 37 games, showing promising signs that he is still the same 3 time American League MVP he has always been.

As Trout is planning a return to right, it will be up to him to communicate every day with Montgomery on how his knee is feeling and if he needs to play in DH or take a day off.

"Ideally I would him to be able to play everyday and put what he has behind him but I think we have to be fair to him and recognize that I don't think it's going to be the type of thing where we run him out there and say he's good to go," Montgomery said. "We're gonna have to communicate like we've been. Ease him back in and get the best of Mike Trout."

Pre Game Notes

Before today's game against the Texas Rangers, the Angels hosted Little League and softball players who were affected by the Pacific Palisades fires this past January. The kids had the chance to watch the team do on-field workouts and batting practice. They also received autographs from the team, including Trout and Kenley Jansen.

Upcoming

The Angels are looking to close out a four-game home series against the Texas Rangers tonight and are looking to get the series victory after taking a 2-1 lead over the Rangers last night.

Nolan Schnauel was given the day off in today's lineup. Lamonte Wade Jr. will start at first. Trout will be hitting behind Zach Neto, second in the lineup behind Zach Neto and Logan O'Hoppe will be starting at catcher after being off last night and Monday.

RHP Jack Kochanowicz will go up against LHP Patrick Corbin on the mound tonight.

Kochanowicz last pitched against Texas on April 17, and pitched 4 2/3 innings and gave up 4 earned runs.

Kochanowicz is 3-8 with a 5.42 ERA, 62 strikeouts with a 1.55 WHIP.

Corbin is 5-7 with a 4.18 ERA, 68 strikeouts, and a 1.29 WHIP.