Heaney on the mend, eyes strong close to '19

CLEVELAND -- For Andrew Heaney, a desire to finish strong is twofold.

Of course, the 28-year-old lefty wants to see the Angels quickly put their recent rough stretch in the past, and he hopes that his impending return from the injured list will help. However, adding to the frustration, Heaney is certainly far from pleased by his results this season, and the only way to put an end to the “nightmare” is to perform well down the stretch.

“I’m definitely not trying to finish [the season] like it’s been going,” Heaney said.

Heaney’s opportunity to put this year's 5.09 ERA in the rearview mirror is quickly approaching, as Friday’s successful bullpen session in Cleveland has paved the way for his next step, a 60-pitch simulated game.

He is expected to throw to hitters in Cincinnati next week. He will also simulate the downtime between innings to help replicate more of a game-like setting.

“I like throwing in sim games because I can get immediate feedback,” Heaney said.

“I don’t necessarily believe in the whole game speed thing. Because if you do a sim game, it’s like, in a big league stadium, big league hitters in front of nobody. If you do a Minor League game, it’s to Minor League hitters in a Minor League stadium in front of nobody. It’s not really that much of a difference. I think [Minor League rehab starts are] a little overrated.”

In this case, the Angels agree. If all goes well, the lefty could potentially be slotted back into the rotation in the near future, all without appearing in a Minor League rehab game.

Heaney has made nine big league starts this season, allowing 26 runs in 46 innings, striking out 54 and walking 19. That sort of performance is a far cry from last season’s 4.15 ERA that he posted in 180 innings with Los Angeles.

This season, Heaney was placed on the IL in mid-July with left shoulder inflammation, but the lefty says that the shoulder has responded well throughout his IL stint.

“I want to finish strong,” Heaney said. “I think everybody wants to finish strong.”

Simmons a late scratch

Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons was removed from the lineup prior to Saturday’s 7-2 loss to the Indians due to left foot soreness.

Simmons is slashing .274/.315/.382 with five homers and 28 RBIs in 74 games this season.

Middleton update

Recent reports have been good on right-handed pitcher Keynan Middleton (60-day IL, Tommy John surgery). Manager Brad Ausmus indicated that Friday “was probably [Middleton's] best day from a strength perspective.”

“I think he’d probably throw a bullpen and he’d transition to his rehab assignment,” Ausmus added. “He might have to do an all fastball ‘pen and then a ‘pen with all pitches. I wouldn’t expect it would be a lot of mound work before he was able to return.”

Latest on Ramirez

Noe Ramirez (viral infection) is in the process of trying to put weight back on after losing “significant weight,” according to Ausmus. Ramirez is throwing, though he has not progressed to mound work, yet. Ausmus expects that next step could come “relatively soon.”

Ramirez, who hasn’t appeared in a game since July 21, is also facing a three-game suspension for throwing a pitch in the direction of Astros outfielder Jake Marisnick’s head.

“Whenever he is able to return, he’s going to have to serve a suspension,” Ausmus noted.

Team meeting

Ausmus held a meeting with his players and coaches prior to Saturday’s game in Cleveland. The Angels' manager declined to offer specifics about what was said during the brief 5-10-minute session prior to the team taking batting practice at Progressive Field.

“If I wanted you to know what the meeting was about, I would have invited you in,” Ausmus joked.

“Not just baseball, any vocation, sometimes there are reminders that help redirect focus. I’m not saying that’s what happened here today, but I think that’s fair.”

The Halos entered Saturday’s contest with a loss in six of their past eight games.