Trout 'better' but sits for 2nd straight game

HOUSTON -- Mike Trout was out of the Angels' lineup for a second straight day on Wednesday, as he continues to nurse the sore left wrist he injured while attempting to make a diving catch three days ago. Trout was available for defense and pinch-running, but the Angels wanted him to stay away from hitting for at least an extra day.

"They want it to be -- and I want it to be -- 100 percent," Trout said prior to the Angels' 6-3 loss to Houston. "I don't want to have a setback."

New addition David DeJesus started in place of Trout in center field, leading off, and fellow newcomer David Murphy batted fourth and was slotted in left field. DeJesus, 35, has spent 661 of his 1,442 career games in center field, but he hasn't played there at all this season and spent only 21 innings there in 2014.

"It's always fun to get back out there," DeJesus said. "That's where I started my career, in center field with the Royals. I'm excited. I know we have a center fielder here who's a pretty good player, so my job is to just fill the gap."

Trout wasn't needed, but he planned to have his wrist heavily taped had he subbed in for DeJesus on defense, and he would've worn a guard had he run the bases. The 23-year-old center fielder said his left wrist feels "a lot better today" and doesn't anticipate having to go on the disabled list.

"Nah," Trout said. "The treatment I had yesterday made a big difference."

To create room on the roster for the two new left-handed-hitting outfielders, the Angels optioned Daniel Robertson to Triple-A Salt Lake and designated Efren Navarro off the active roster. Navarro -- still on the 40-man roster -- will basically be in limbo until Friday, when the Angels obtain the optionable waivers that will allow them to send him back to Triple-A.

Wednesday's lineup was an indication of how manager Mike Scioscia will incorporate his new additions against right-handed starters, with DeJesus leading off and Murphy batting behind Pujols. Against teams with multiple lefty relievers, though, Scioscia may opt to bat Johnny Giavotella at leadoff and hit DeJesus ninth, so that he isn't connected with No. 2 hitter Kole Calhoun, another left-handed bat.

Against lefties, Shane Victorino figures to start in left field and C.J. Cron at designated hitter.

"When you create depth, it's great for your team, and sometimes some at-bats will be shared," Scioscia said. "But we still need C.J. to swing the bat the way he's shown he's capable of swinging. I think we'll be more balanced."