Notes: Simmons 'feeling better every day'

Shortstop Andrelton Simmons has been making good progress with his sprained left ankle and could return as soon as this weekend’s series against the Dodgers at Angel Stadium, manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday.

Simmons, though, said there’s still no official timeline, but that he is feeling better after suffering the ankle sprain on July 27 while trying to beat out a throw at first base. Simmons took batting practice at Angel Stadium on Monday and then got several at-bats in an intrasquad game in Long Beach on Tuesday.

“Honestly, I'm trying to listen to my body,” Simmons said. “I know it might not feel 100 [percent] when I come back, but I'm trying to make sure when I do come back I am helpful to the team and like I'm not a hindrance where I'm not moving around good enough. So we'll see the next couple days.”

Simmons said the injury doesn’t bother him at the plate, but he feels it more when making cuts while running or on certain defensive plays. He said he’ll continue to talk to the trainers in the coming days to get a better feel for when he’ll be cleared to return.

“I can tell you it is feeling better every day,” Simmons said. “It gets tired every once in a while like after really working it, but I'm making progress.”

Maddon had an optimistic take on Simmons after talking to the trainers before Wednesday’s game, but like Simmons, he will wait to hear more from the trainers.

"He’s doing pretty good,” Maddon said. “Had some at-bats in Long Beach, a couple walks, a punchout. But I heard he ran really well. He’s running well. So he's getting a lot closer, a lot more quickly. I wouldn't rule it out [against the Dodgers], but I haven't had any final conclusions from the training staff yet."

When Simmons returns, the Angels will have to get creative to keep David Fletcher in the lineup every day. He’s been the everyday shortstop in Simmons’ absence, but will move around the diamond once Simmons returns. He’s expected to see most of his time at second base and Tommy La Stella could play more first base, especially against right-handed pitchers.

"We've got to figure out something," Maddon said. "When you've got a guy that's good on the dirt, for me, you try to do whatever you can to keep them on the dirt. So we're going to have things to think about. We haven't had the conversations yet. How do we maneuver these guys? Where do we play them? But Fletch plays. He's just got to play."

Angels try to get Upton going
Left fielder Justin Upton has continued to scuffle at the plate this season and was held out of the starting lineup on Wednesday. The 32-year-old is hitting .113/.200/.226 with two homers and six RBIs in 15 games. He's been relegated to platoon status with Brian Goodwin in left and rookie Jo Adell the regular in right field.

"We’ve been talking," Maddon said. "The thing about Justin is his work ethic is spectacular and he’s moving well. Watch him run to first base, watch him move in the outfield, and he’s moving well. So that tells me everything is still in pretty good order. This guy has a history of getting scalding hot, and I believe that’s going to happen again. In the meantime, let’s let him work through some moments and try to pick the right spots.”