MESA, Ariz. -- Angels lefty Andrew Heaney's first start of the spring was a bit rocky against the A’s on Tuesday, but he came away from the outing knowing what he needs to work on early this spring.

Heaney lasted one-plus innings, surrendering three runs (two earned) on three hits and three walks. He threw 27 pitches in the first inning and wasn't helped by a dropped tag at the plate by catcher Kevan Smith and struggled with his control in the second.

“It’s the first one, so for me it’s kind of getting it out of the way, working on sights, targets, where you’re able to adjust from your misses,” Heaney said. “I think every spring what you’re trying to find is your release point, what you’re seeing vs. what you’re feeling, what hitters are doing, how they’re reacting, those things take a little bit of time.”

Heaney, who is coming off a season that saw him make a team-high 30 starts with a 4.15 ERA and 180 strikeouts in 180 innings, explained he uses this part of Spring Training to work on the command of his pitches. He’d like to get better results later in spring once it gets closer to Opening Day, but for now, it’s more about getting a feel for his pitches and their movement.

“Just picking out sights for different pitches and figuring out where, when I’m starting a breaking ball, where it’s gonna finish,” Heaney said. “When I’m starting a heater in, where it’s gonna finish. When I’m trying to go up in the zone, what’s up for a strike, what’s up for a swing and a miss, what’s right down the middle. Sometimes you lose those sights and you can’t really tell what level you’re at.”

Cowart arrives at camp

Kaleb Cowart, who was claimed on waivers from the Tigers on Saturday, joined his former club on Tuesday and will be used as a two-way player. Cowart, who is regarded as a plus defender and has experience at all four infield positions, struggled with the Angels offensively over the last four years, hitting .177/.241/.293 in 162 games. But he's been working on pitching since starting a throwing program on Nov. 1 and was focusing mostly on pitching with Detroit this spring.

Cowart said he throws a fastball that sits in the low 90s along with a cutter, a curveball and a splitter. He took batting practice on his first day back with the Angels on Monday but will continue to be utilized as both a hitter and pitcher with the Angels.

"Any time you can make yourself more versatile, that's a huge opportunity," Cowart said. "Whether it’s me coming out of the 'pen or playing some defense and then pitching, whatever it is, I’m looking forward to it."

Cowart, though, is out of Minor League options so he can’t be sent to the Minors without first being exposed to waivers. If he doesn’t make the team, the Angels are hopeful he could slip through waivers so he could continue to work on being a two-way player in the Minors. Cowart, though, isn’t worried about that and said he’s thankful that Shohei Ohtani proved last year that two-way players can thrive.

“He kind of opened up some doors for a lot of guys that are able to do some things like this,” Cowart said. “It was a little different because he’s a starting pitcher and mine would be more of a relief role playing defense, but it was really cool. I always wanted to do something like this.”

Angels prospects impress

The Angels saw several of their highest-rated youngsters have big days at the plate Tuesday, as Matt Thaiss went 2-for-3 with an RBI double, Jahmai Jones went 1-for-1 with a walk and two runs scored, Jo Adell went 1-for-1 with a walk and two runs scored and Brandon Marsh went 1-for-2 with a two RBIs. Adell is the club's No. 1 overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, while Marsh is No. 3, Jones is No. 4 and Thaiss is No. 8.

"The young guys really swung the bat well [in] the last third of the game," manager Brad Ausmus said. "Up and down the lineup, they had good at-bats and took walks or hit the heck out of the ball."

Ohtani tracks pitches

Ohtani stood in during bullpen sessions on Tuesday, marking the first time he’s tracked pitches since undergoing Tommy John surgery on Oct. 1. Ohtani, who is working toward a return in May as a designated hitter, also took 35 swings off a tee and could move up to soft toss by early next week.

Up next

Right-hander Trevor Cahill will make his Angels debut on Wednesday, when the Angels play the Rockies at 12:10 p.m. PT at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Cahill signed with the Angels on a one-year deal worth $9 million after posting a 3.76 ERA with 100 strikeouts, 41 walks and eight homers allowed in 110 innings with the A's last year. Shortstop Andrelton Simmons will also return to the lineup after missing the last two games with tightness in his trapezoid muscle.