Simmons day to day with shoulder strain

MESA, Ariz. -- Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons exited Thursday's 7-3 loss to the A's with a left shoulder strain incurred while diving for a ball in the fifth inning.
An MRI exam later confirmed the strain, and Simmons is day to day. Angels manager Mike Scioscia said the 28-year-old infielder indicated he was "fine" before departing Hohokam Stadium.
Simmons dived to his right to try to field Jed Lowrie's single in the fifth, but he ended up rolling awkwardly onto his left shoulder on the play. Scioscia and a team trainer immediately came out to attend to Simmons, who subsequently left the game and was replaced by Colin Walsh at shortstop.
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"He's a little bit sore, but he got evaluated by our medical staff and a doctor in the clubhouse here," Scioscia said. "Everything looks like it's intact. ... We'll take it one step at a time. I think as he came out of the game, he left here, he gave us the feeling that he's fine. We're definitely going to be cautious."
Skaggs progressing
Left-hander Tyler Skaggs surrendered two runs on four hits over 3 2/3 innings in his third start of the spring. Skaggs, who walked none and struck out four, is working on developing his changeup this spring, though he said the pitch remains "a work in progress."
"I can be a two-pitch pitcher, but I can only go so far doing that," said Skaggs, who has relied on his fastball and curveball in the past. "It's one of those things where I really just need to make a cognizant effort just to throw it, even if I'm not throwing it for a strike, just keep throwing it and show these guys. I've thrown it against all AL West teams, so it's one of those things that I need to show and put it in their heads to know that I still have one."

Trout's web gem
Shortly after arriving to camp last month, Angels star Mike Trout said one of his goals was to work on improving his defense. But the 26-year-old center fielder appeared to be in midseason form Thursday, making a diving catch in right-center field to rob Marcus Semien of a hit in the third inning.

Camp battle
Three relievers who are vying for relief jobs this spring saw action against the A's on Thursday. Left-hander José Álvarez struck out two in a scoreless sixth and has not allowed a run in four appearances this spring. Noé Ramirez gave up a run on two hits in the seventh, while Felix Peña worked a clean eighth.
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Injury updates
• Outfielder Chris Young (right calf strain) has started running on the field and is slated to take live batting practice on Friday. Young, who is projected to be the Angels' fourth outfielder this season, said he is hoping to get some at-bats in a Minor League game in the next couple of days.
"I think the most important thing right now is just to find a way to get some at-bats and try to start getting timing at the plate," Young said. "I think the outfield, whether that comes sooner or later, I don't think that's the biggest area of concern. I think the hitting would be the first priority. You don't have to find timing in the outfield. You have to find the timing at the plate."
Young has yet to make his Cactus League debut this spring, but the Angels do not expect the injury to affect his availability for Opening Day.
• Infielder Jefry Marte (right groin tightness) has resumed taking swings and said he is aiming to return to game action on Monday. He has not played since tweaking his groin Saturday against the Mariners.
The Ohtani brief
Shohei Ohtani will make his third start on the mound Friday in a "B" game against the Mexican League's Tijuana Toros at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Ohtani is scheduled to throw about 60 pitches over four innings. The game will begin at noon MT and is open to the public. Admission is free.

First round of cuts
The Angels reassigned catchers Jack Kruger and Michael Barash to Minor League camp. Fifty-nine players remain in big league camp.
The Angels' Minor League position players were scheduled to report Thursday, with their first full-squad workout scheduled for Saturday.
Up next
Matt Shoemaker will make his third start of the spring on Friday, when the Angels head to Sloan Park to face the Cubs. Shoemaker has allowed four runs over 4 2/3 innings (7.71 ERA) in his first two Cactus League outings this year. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. PT, and the game can be viewed on MLB.TV.