TEMPE, Ariz. -- Angels manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday that he’s leaning toward batting superstar Mike Trout third in the lineup this season.

Trout batted third again on Wednesday, going 2-for-3 in a 4-2 win over the Royals, hitting behind Dexter Fowler and DH Jared Walsh -- though David Fletcher will often lead off. The Angels began to utilize the Fletcher-Walsh combination late last season, when Walsh went on an offensive tear in September. The Angels would then have Anthony Rendon and Shohei Ohtani bat after Trout, but Ohtani could also serve as the No. 2 hitter occasionally as well.

“I'm kind of leaning in that direction," Maddon said. "I like the way it stacks up before and after him that way. And without talking too much, I have my ideas about how the three-batter minimum rule plays into a bit, also."

Trout, the AL MVP in 2014, '16 and '19, has more experience hitting second, as he's done it 664 times in his career, compared to 385 games as the No. 3 hitter. He has similar numbers in each spot, batting .301/.418/.597 as the No. 2 hitter and .310/.436/.586 hitting third.

The Angels also wouldn’t stack any right-handed hitters with Trout hitting third and a lefty such as Walsh or Ohtani batting second. It also would make it difficult for other clubs to bring in a lefty to specifically face the No. 2 hitter with Trout and Rendon looming. Fowler, a switch-hitter, is also likely to bat ninth ahead of Fletcher, further breaking up the right-handed bats.

Angels granted options on Barria, Peters
The Angels were granted another year of options with right-hander Jaime Barria and left-hander Dillon Peters, which gives the club more flexibility. An independent arbiter made the ruling that last year’s shortened season didn’t count toward their three years of options.

Barria can now be sent to and from the Minor Leagues freely this season, which could mean he starts the year at the club’s alternate training site instead of in the bullpen. Peters isn’t on the 40-man roster, but if he gets placed on it this season, he can also be moved freely between the Minors and Majors without having to be placed on waivers.

Rivera sent back to Astros
Rule 5 reliever Jose Alberto Rivera was returned to the Astros on Wednesday, as it became clear he wasn’t going to make the team after appearing once this spring because of a late arrival to camp due to visa issues. Rivera, 24, is a hard thrower with a fastball that can reach triple digits, but he's never pitched above Low-A.

"He's healthy, he's just a really young kid who needs more time," Maddon said. "Under the circumstances, we're trying to put together a team that we believe has a chance to go deeply into the playoffs and get to the World Series this year. So being frank, there just wasn't that kind of time to give him the opportunity he needs."

Ramos signed to Minor League deal
The Angels signed reliever AJ Ramos to a Minor League deal and he’ll start the season at the club’s alternate training site in Tempe. Ramos, 34, has a career 3.08 ERA in 368 2/3 innings and returned to action last year after missing the 2019 season with a shoulder injury. He made three appearances with the Rockies, allowing one run in 2 2/3 innings. He gives the Angels some bullpen depth.