SEATTLE -- Two days after undergoing season-ending surgery, right-hander Matthew Shoemaker was back in the Angels' clubhouse, joining the club on Thursday in Seattle for the start of its three-city, nine-game road trip.
"It's tough when you're not there with all the guys during the season," said Shoemaker, who had his right arm in a sling. "I'm just glad I got the OK to come on this trip. It's kind of cool."
Shoemaker had surgery to release the radial nerve in his right forearm on Tuesday in Los Angeles and is now facing a 12-14 week recovery period. The 30-year-old starter said he doesn't expect to pick up a ball for at least six weeks.
"It went well," Shoemaker said of the surgery. "I feel good. Unfortunate timing, because if it's the offseason, it's all good. But other than that, I can kind of control what I can kind of control and get the healing process going."
Though he will miss the rest of the 2017 campaign, Shoemaker does not believe his rehab from the forearm injury will impact his availability for next season.
Heaney potentially nearing return
The Angels optioned right-hander Troy Scribner to Triple-A Salt Lake following his start on Wednesday and will use their two off-days next week to skip his next turn in the rotation. They won't need a fifth starter until their series in Baltimore next weekend, at which point left-hander Andrew Heaney may be ready to join the Angels.
Heaney, who is 13 months removed from Tommy John surgery, is scheduled to make his sixth and potentially final rehab start on Saturday with Triple-A Salt Lake. Still, manager Mike Scioscia was noncommittal when asked if Heaney could take Scribner's spot in the rotation.
"Nine days in this game is a lifetime," Scioscia said.
Worth noting
• Infielder Jefry Marte was called up from Salt Lake on Thursday and started at third base against Mariners left-hander James Paxton. Marte opened the season with the Angels, but he was demoted after batting .176 in 39 Major League games. Marte, who took Scribner's spot on the roster, has heated up recently and was batting .356 with five home runs and 27 RBIs in his last 24 games with Salt Lake.
"He really started to swing the bat to his capability," Scioscia said. "He struggled in spring, struggled early, and he really picked it up and is swinging the bat like he can. So we're happy to have him up here to give him another look."
• Outfielder Shane Robinson, who was designated for assignment earlier this week, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Salt Lake.