La Stella returns to Halos for final weekend

ANAHEIM -- After missing nearly three months with a fractured right tibia sustained on July 2, Tommy La Stella was reinstated from the injured list on Friday. He batted second and started at designated hitter against the Astros, going 0-for-4 in a 4-0 loss at Angel Stadium.

La Stella, an All-Star for the first time before sustaining the injury on a foul ball, wanted to finish the season healthy, so he made his return despite there only being three games left in the regular season. He’s also expected to serve as the DH in Sunday's season finale.

“I think the goal in the beginning was to get back and that we were going to be competing at the end of the season,” La Stella said. “Just because that’s changed, I don’t think the goal has changed. The goal is just to get out there, get some game reps and get the visual of being on the field and seeing the pitcher. Let that be something I can take into the offseason.”

Angels manager Brad Ausmus was pleased to see La Stella back in the lineup, as he was one of the club’s most productive players before his injury. La Stella, 30, batted .300/.353/.495 with 16 homers and 44 RBIs in 78 games. The initial hope was that La Stella would be back earlier in September, but the fact that he’s playing at all is a good thing, Ausmus said.

"That's the whole reason we're playing him,” Ausmus said. “To get back on the field, get over that mental hurdle of doing what he had done so well the first half of the season, and then he can go into the offseason knowing that he's game ready."

La Stella had a breakout season for the Angels, as his previous career high in homers was five and he had only 10 homers in 396 career games with the Braves and Cubs entering this year. But he said playing every day helped him, as he had a different approach than his usual role of pinch-hitting and occasional playing time with the Cubs in recent years.

La Stella believes he can keep it going, and he remains under team control through next year. He figures to see time at second and third base along with David Fletcher, Luis Rengifo and possibly Zack Cozart, depending on how his recovery from left shoulder surgery goes.

“I’d say I took some steps in the right direction, personally,” La Stella said. “But there are things I can improve on. I’m sure everybody in this room feels the same way. I’m no different. There is definitely some stuff I’d like to continue to make progress on next year.”

La Stella admitted it was a tough year as a team, as his injury came a day after the death of teammate Tyler Skaggs on July 1. The Angels were 44-44 on July 2 and 4 1/2 games back of the second American League Wild Card at the time of La Stella's injury. But they went 28-43 without him to fall out of contention.

“It was difficult,” La Stella said. “Obviously, the beginning of the season, the goal is to make the postseason and make a run at that. Seeing it fading out was tough, not being out there. But we have a great group, and I’m sure we’ll bounce back next year.”