Trout could return before All-Star break

ANAHEIM -- Angels outfielder Mike Trout said Tuesday he could possibly return to the club before the All-Star break begins on July 11. The reigning American League MVP landed on the 10-day disabled list for the first time his career after suffering a torn UCL in his left thumb on May 28 and had surgery three days later.
"It's a lot better than it was," Trout said of the thumb's status. "I'm anxious to get back out, but we've got to play it safe."
Trout -- sporting a black thumb brace over his left hand -- said he had stitches in the thumb removed and has started throwing, but he isn't fielding and has not been cleared to swing. The 25-year-old received the green light to begin grip exercises to restrengthen his thumb Tuesday and said he is focused on regaining full range of motion.
"I hear good things from the doctors," said Trout. "I'm happy where it's going. My mind's in the right place."
The timetable for Trout's recovery was said to be six to eight weeks. When asked if he could return to the team ahead of the All-Star break (just six weeks since undergoing surgery), Trout said he would "see how it goes the next week or two, and see how I feel," but added it's not for him to determine.
"It'd be pretty cool just to hopefully be back by then, if everything goes on schedule," he said. "Before the All-Star break, right at the All-Star break -- just depending how it goes. I don't want to push it. I don't want it to be lingering the rest of the season."
Tuesday's contest marked the 15th game Trout has missed since the injury.
Worth noting
• The Angels recalled right-handed pitcher Mike Morin (13th round, 2012 Draft, University of North Carolina) from Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday, and optioned right-handed pitcher Brooks Pounders (53rd overall, 2009 Draft, Temecula Valley HS, Calif.) to Salt Lake in a corresponding move. Morin last pitched for the Angels on May 29, and had been optioned on June 1 to make room for starting pitcher Alex Meyer (23rd overall, 2011 Draft, University of Kentucky).
Angels manager Mike Scioscia said the move was executed to "give us a fresh arm" out of the bullpen.
• Angels right-handed reliever Cam Bedrosian (29th overall, 2010 Draft, East Coweta HS, Ga.) will pitch for Class A Advanced Inland Empire on Tuesday as he enters the final phases of his rehab assignment.
Bedrosian hasn't pitched for the Halos since landing on the DL April 22 with a right groin strain. The 25-year-old was expected to return this past week after beginning his rehab assignment, but he had setback when the injury flared up.
"I feel much, much better," Bedrosian said Monday.