Trout 'should be good to go' against Red Sox

ANAHEIM -- Angels center fielder Mike Trout was held out of the lineup for precautionary reasons against the Rangers on Wednesday, as he’s been dealing with a minor injury to the bottom of his right foot.

With an off-day on Thursday, the Angels are hopeful the two days of rest will help with his foot. He’s fully expected to be back in the lineup on Friday for the series opener against the Red Sox at Angel Stadium.

"Just been sore, I’ll be good to go Friday," Trout said after the Angels' 3-0 loss the Rangers. "For a few weeks now, I’ve played through it. Good time to get some rest because we’ve got some days off. I couldn’t tell you what [caused it]. It just got sore. Should be good to go Friday."

“His right foot has been bothering him a little bit off and on for the last few weeks,” Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. “We're just trying to give him two days to calm it down a little bit. It's kind of like a bruise, but it's on the bottom of his foot and not the top."

Trout, 28, is in the midst of another incredible season, hitting .293/.436/.651 with 43 homers, 27 doubles, 104 runs and 100 RBIs in 126 games. He smacked his Major League-leading 43rd homer in Tuesday’s 5-2 win, but he has otherwise scuffled by his standards over the last week, hitting .167 (4-for-24) with a homer and two RBIs over his last six games.

Adell, Marsh on AFL roster

Angels outfield prospects Jo Adell and Brandon Marsh are among eight players the Angels are sending to the Arizona Fall League to play with the Mesa Solar Sox, beginning on Sept. 18. Adell, ranked as the No. 4 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, is the highest-rated prospect in baseball scheduled to participate in the AFL.

Marsh, ranked as the club's No. 2 prospect, is joined by second baseman Jahmai Jones, who is ranked as the club's No. 6 prospect and right-hander Aaron Hernandez, who is ranked 14th. The Angels are also sending right-handers Nathan Bates, Isaac Mattson, Austin Warren and catcher Franklin Torres.

"I think it's definitely a step up in talent and experience level,” Ausmus said. “It's a good way for players to gain experience. I've said it before, but experience in baseball is a huge asset. And this is at a higher competitive level."

La Stella to take BP on Friday

Infielder Tommy La Stella, on the 60-day injured list since July 3 with a fractured right tibia, said he’s scheduled to take batting practice on the field for the first time on Friday. He’s also been jogging on a treadmill, though he hasn’t been fully cleared to run just yet.

La Stella, an All-Star for the first time this year, said he’s hopeful he’ll return after the first week of September, which means he could be back at some point during the Angels' homestand against the Indians and Rays from Sept. 9-15.

“Everything feels pretty good,” La Stella said. “We’re just doing a regular protocol and checking off all the boxes.”

One issue, however, is that the Minor League season ends on Monday, so La Stella won’t be able to go on a rehab assignment to get ready for his return. But the Angels plan to stage simulated games for La Stella against live pitching once he’s ready.

“I definitely want to get back out there and finish up strong, and get some at-bats going into the offseason and try and pick up where I left off as far as the approach, and what I’m thinking about,” La Stella said. “It’s difficult without the live pitching, but hopefully I’ll get some live at-bats soon.”

Barria pushed back

The Angels will start left-handers Jose Suarez, Dillon Peters and Andrew Heaney against the Red Sox this weekend, meaning right-hander Jaime Barría's start will be pushed back until Tuesday against the A's in Oakland. The Angels are just giving Barria some extra rest late in the season, as he was solid against the Astros on Sunday, allowing two runs on three hits over 5 1/3 innings.

"He's not really getting skipped," Ausmus said. "It's a couple extra days. Everyone is getting it. Heaney is the one guy going on normal rest this time, but he gets extra rest next time."