TEMPE, Ariz. -- Left-hander Tyler Skaggs' first inning of Spring Training couldn’t have gone much better with three straight strikeouts, including the final two looking. But he struggled a bit with his command in the second inning, allowing two homers and two walks in a 10-6 loss to the Rangers on Thursday.
Skaggs, who is considered the club’s likely Opening Day starter (with fellow lefty Andrew Heaney also in the mix), was charged with four runs on two hits and two walks with four strikeouts over 1 2/3 innings, but he was still pleased with his outing.
"Everything felt good, felt very crisp out there," Skaggs said. "Second inning, [I was] kind of rushing down the mound a little bit. It's always tough in the first and second starts of spring. Kind of get out of whack after a little bit, but overall I felt really good. [Couldn't] care less about home runs; it's actually back-to-back years I've given up back-to-back home runs in the first outing, so I think we're looking good. I'm right on track."
Skaggs, 27, is coming off a season that saw him post a 4.02 ERA with 129 strikeouts, 40 walks and 14 homers allowed in 125 1/3 innings. He pitched like an ace in the first half with a 2.57 ERA in 17 starts, but had a 9.22 ERA in seven starts after the All-Star break as he dealt with a groin injury. He said he worked on his flexibility this winter and is trying to improve his changeup heading into this season.
"I had kind of a chip on my shoulder at the end of last season," Skaggs said. "It didn't end the way I wanted to. Kind of lit a fire under my butt and made me work that much harder, and I'm excited for the season. I felt really strong out there today."
Ohtani nearing soft toss
Shohei Ohtani, recovering from Tommy John surgery on Oct. 1, took 40 swings off a tee on Thursday, marking the seventh day he’s hit off a tee. His next step will be soft toss, which manager Brad Ausmus indicated could come in a few days.
"He’s getting close," Ausmus said. "We’re hoping to have him do soft toss, which would be the next step, very soon."
Upton, Bour making progress
• Left fielder Justin Upton, who has been slowed by right knee tendinitis, took batting practice on the field without any issues before Thursday’s game. There’s no timetable for his first Cactus League game, but Ausmus said Upton will have plenty of time to get ready for the start of the season.
• First baseman Justin Bour, out with a mild hamstring strain, is closer to returning than Upton and could be in the lineup as soon as this weekend.
Walsh makes spring pitching debut
Two-way player Jared Walsh, who hit 29 homers in the Minors last year, made his Cactus League pitching debut in the ninth inning. Walsh, who had previously appeared in three games as a position player this spring, retired all three batters he faced on 12 pitches. The 25-year-old made eight pitching appearances in the Minors last year, posting a 1.59 ERA with seven strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.
"He was good," Ausmus said. "The curveballs were just OK until he finally threw a good one against the last batter he faced, the righty [Adam Moore]. He looked comfortable. He seems to be a bit sneaky with the fastball. It plays up."
Up next
Right-hander Forrest Snow (0-1, 9.00 ERA) will make his second start of the spring for the Angels on Friday against the Royals at 12:10 p.m. PT. Snow is being stretched out to start, but he has no Major League experience, so the non-roster invitee is likely to open the season at Triple-A Rochester.