Left-hander José Quintana continued his solid spring by throwing three-plus scoreless innings in the Angels' 4-3 win over the D-backs on Friday, bringing his total to six scoreless frames and just one hit allowed in Cactus League play.

Quintana, who signed a one-year deal worth $8 million over the offseason, is coming off a season that saw him throw just 10 innings with the Cubs due to a cut on his left thumb that required surgery and left lat inflammation. But Quintana looks fresh this spring and is looking to return to form after being one of the more underrated starters in the Majors since his debut in 2012.

“I feel my confidence going up every time I go up to the mound,” Quintana said. “It's a good time to see how my stuff is doing, and today it was really good. I attacked the zone, I was ahead and I kept working on all my stuff. It was great."

Quintana, 32, averaged 186 innings pitched to go along with a 3.72 ERA in his first eight seasons with the White Sox and Cubs from 2012-19. He's been reunited with Joe Maddon -- his manager from 2017-19 -- and said he’s feeling comfortable with his new club.

Quintana added that locating his fastball is important for him this time of year and he’s been pleased with the way things have been going so far.

“My four-seam and two-seam [fastballs] were really good,” Quintana said. “And what makes it even better was I was able to locate my changeup for strikes. I need to change speeds, which is the biggest thing for pitchers. Getting first-pitch strikes also puts me in position to get quicker outs and stay in the game.”

Maddon on Minor League rule changes
Several experimental rule changes will be implemented in the Minor Leagues this season, which includes larger bases at Triple-A, requiring four players on the infield at Double-A, limiting step-offs and pick-off attempts in Class A, an automatic ball-strike system at Low A Southeast and on-field timers at Low A West.

• Rule changes to be tested in Minors

Of the list, Maddon was most in favor of the larger bases, which aim to prevent injury and create more base-stealing opportunities, and the timers that help with pace of play. But Maddon indicated he’s not a fan of an automated strike zone, or even replay, in general.

"I don't like perfection, I think perfection is a boring concept," Maddon said. "Of course, you want the play to be right. I get that. But, I mean, taking everything into consideration, I prefer emotion.”

Maddon said he prefers changes to come more organically, but he did say he’s hopeful that the new baseballs this year will help combat the tendency of three-true outcomes for hitters that lead to too many homers, walks and strikeouts. The new ball isn’t supposed to travel as far, which could lead to players without power becoming more valuable. He’s mentioned he wants his team to look more like a team from 1985 than 2021 in terms of style of play.

“If the ball doesn’t travel as far, a lot of the things you’re looking for will just occur because the hitters will have to adjust, pitchers will adjust, defenses will adjust,” Maddon said. “Speed will become more prominent. All the things that you’re looking for.”

Angels tidbits
• Left-hander Alex Claudio, who's dealt with a hip infection, is nearing his Cactus League debut. He recently faced hitters in a live session and Maddon said the batters were uncomfortable facing the veteran reliever.

• Rule 5 reliever Jose Alberto Rivera pitched in a "B" game last week, but he has yet to appear in a Cactus League game. Maddon said it will be difficult for Rivera to make the club. If he doesn't, he must be placed on outright waivers and if he clears, he would have to be offered back to the Astros for $50,000.

• Maddon is still experimenting with lineups and had Jared Walsh hit third between Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon on Friday. But Maddon is still leaning towards having Trout and Rendon hit back-to-back like last year.

• The Angels have decided on their Opening Day starter but the pitcher hasn’t been officially told yet. Maddon is expected to inform the player soon and make an announcement in the coming days. Right-hander Dylan Bundy and lefty Andrew Heaney are the top two candidates. Heaney started the regular-season opener last year.

• Max Stassi made his first start behind the plate this spring, as he’s coming off left hip surgery that limited him early in camp. Stassi caught four innings and drew a walk at the plate. Stassi is considered healthy and expected to be ready for Opening Day on April 1.