ST. PETERSBURG -- Michael Trout was out of the Angels' starting lineup for only the second time all season, sitting out Thursday's series finale against the Rays with a right wrist contusion. Trout is considered day to day and said he is hoping to return to action Friday in Cleveland.
Trout tweaked his wrist in the first inning of the Angels' 7-2 loss on Wednesday after sliding awkwardly into third base on a stolen-base attempt. Trout tried to hook around the base to avoid a tag from third baseman Matt Duffy, and he put his right wrist down twice to brace himself as he slid.
"When I slid into third, I kind of got my hand stuck underneath me," Trout said. "When I came into the dugout, I just told [trainer Adam Nevala], 'I felt something in my wrist, felt like I just jammed it pretty bad.' We taped it, tried to do as much as we could throughout the game yesterday, but after the game, Nevy and the guys were like, 'It's going to be sore tomorrow.'"
X-rays and an MRI showed only inflammation in Trout's wrist, and manager Mike Scioscia said Trout would be evaluated before Thursday's game to see if he'd be available off the bench.
"It's really sore," Trout said. "We'll see how treatment goes, and I'll see if I can swing. I haven't even tried."
Last May, Trout tore a ligament in his left thumb on a headfirst slide into second base in Miami and missed six weeks. He now wears a protective glove on his left hand when he's on base, though he does not have any protective gear for his right hand.
"They're joking, now I have to wear two [gloves]," Trout said. "We'll see how that goes."
Trout, who turns 27 on Tuesday, is batting .309 with a 1.083 OPS, 30 home runs and 21 steals in 109 games for the Angels this season.
No-tani
Shohei Ohtani was also out of the Angels' lineup for the second consecutive day on Thursday. While right-hander Hunter Wood started for the Rays, left-hander Jalen Beeks was expected to pitch the bulk of the game. Ohtani, 24, is batting .170 with a .500 OPS in 59 plate appearances against lefties, compared to .296 with a .967 OPS in 140 plate appearances against righties.
"We're going to face a lot of righties in Cleveland and [against] Detroit," Scioscia said. "He'll get plenty of playing time."
Jose Pujols started at designated hitter, with Luis Valbuena manning first base on Thursday.