Richards could return to Halos on Wednesday
Ohtani faces live pitching again Sunday; Marte gets day off in Baltimore
BALTIMORE -- The Angels have yet to name a starter for Wednesday's middle game of three against the Mariners, opening the possibility that Garrett Richards could return to the Halos' rotation in Seattle.
Richards (left hamstring strain) threw 63 pitches over 3 1/3 innings in a rehab outing at Class A Advanced Inland Empire on Friday night. The 30-year-old right-hander will throw another bullpen session either later Sunday or on Monday, manager Mike Scioscia said.
"Let's wait until he throws his 'pen," Scioscia said when asked if Richards could be a candidate for Wednesday.
Richards, who went 4-4 with a 3.42 ERA for the Angels before hitting the 10-day disabled list, last pitched on June 13, allowing two runs over two innings before departing injured.
Andrew Heaney (4-5, 3.95 ERA) will get the nod in the opener, with lefty Tyler Skaggs (6-5, 2.64) set for Thursday's series finale.
Worth noting
• Shohei Ohtani will take more batting practice and again face live pitching on Sunday, Scioscia said. Ohtani, who is solely focused on offense while he returns from a right UCL sprain, had 10 at-bats and ran the bases in a simulated game on Saturday.
He could have three consecutive days of live swings by the time the Angels arrive in Seattle, though Scioscia would not commit to a return in that series as a designated hitter. "Let's get by today, see what he does," Scioscia said.
• Scioscia kept infielder Luis Valbuena out of the lineup on Sunday despite Valbuena's career 5-for-9 history with four home runs against Orioles starter Kevin Gausman. Scioscia insisted the decision was "just a day [off]" and not related to an injury or health issue.
• Infielder Jefry Marte (left wrist sprain) went 2-for-4 with an RBI in his second rehab game with Inland Empire on Saturday.