ANAHEIM -- Shortly before first pitch on Tuesday, Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons slipped on the dugout steps and sprained his right ankle. He proceeded to take the field when the game started just four minutes later, but he was eventually forced to depart after two innings.
Following the Angels' 1-0 win over the Royals, Simmons could only shake his head at the fluky nature of the injury.
"I don't even remember how exactly it happened, but I know I was coming in," said Simmons, who was using crutches after the game. "It's simple and stupid, but it happens every once in a while, I guess."
Simmons said he's hoping to only miss a couple of games, but he acknowledged that the disabled list remains a possibility.
"I feel OK," Simmons said. "Sore, but we'll see in the next couple days how it feels. Nothing broke, but I sprained it pretty decent. I tried to stay in the game, but they just thought it was smarter not to let me stay out there and have a chance of making it worse."
If Simmons is unable to avoid the disabled list, the Angels could easily move Zack Cozart to shortstop and deploy Luis Valbuena at third base. Still, losing Simmons for any extended period would be a significant blow for the Angels. The 28-year-old infielder has been one of their most consistent hitters this season, batting .330 with an .860 OPS while providing his usual Gold Glove defense at shortstop.
"I just want to be back as soon as possible," Simmons said. "Not concerned. I know I'm going to be OK, it's just a matter of when am I going to be ready to play. That's the only question I have. I know tomorrow is going to be a little tough again. I sprained my ankle before, so after that, it's going to take one, two days. After that, I can move around pretty decent normally, so that's what I'm hoping for."