Lucroy (concussion, nose) to play rehab games

ANAHEIM -- Angels catcher Jonathan Lucroy is set to begin a rehab assignment with Class A Advanced Inland Empire on Friday, just more than two weeks after suffering a concussion and a fractured nose in a home-plate collision with the Astros’ Jake Marisnick on July 7.

Lucroy underwent a procedure to repair his broken nose on July 16 and was cleared to start taking batting practice in the cages this week, before moving up to taking batting practice on the field before Thursday’s game against the Orioles. Lucroy is scheduled to catch five-to-seven innings on Friday and could be ready to be reinstated after playing two games.

“The whole time the team has been out, I’ve been here working every morning,” Lucroy said. “If it was up to me, I’d be playing last week.”

Lucroy was initially expected to miss roughly three weeks after the minor operation on his nose, but he could return as early as Monday against the Tigers, which would put him a week ahead of schedule. Lucroy underwent testing on Wednesday in an effort to get cleared from his concussion.

“He probably just needs a couple [games],” Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. “I guess he’s a little bit ahead [of schedule].”

Lucroy sustained the injuries when Marisnick collided into him at home. Marisnick was suspended two games as a result, but appealed and is still awaiting the results.

Angels reliever Noe Ramirez plunked Marisnick with a fastball on July 16 and was suspended three games. Like Marisnick, Ramirez is appealing and is waiting on Major League Baseball to review the appeal.

With Lucroy out, Dustin Garneau has filled in capably at catcher, hitting .263 with two homers, two walks, a double and five RBIs in seven games.

Heaney plays catch

Left-hander Andrew Heaney, who is on the 10-day injured list with left shoulder inflammation, played catch on Thursday, marking the first time he’s thrown since being placed on the IL on Saturday.

Ausmus said the Angels will wait to see how Heaney’s shoulder responds before they know when he’ll take the next step. The Angels have not given a timetable on Heaney’s return, though the injury isn’t considered serious.

Ward optioned to Triple-A

To make room for Thursday’s starter Jose Suarez, infielder Taylor Ward was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake. Ward was recalled on Tuesday to be an extra bench player for the Angels’ Interleague series at Dodger Stadium. Ward made one appearance in the series, drawing a walk as a pinch-hitter on Tuesday.