ANAHEIM — Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel took a step toward a return to the lineup on Wednesday.
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Schanuel, who is out with an intercostal strain, hit some flips in the cage. He said he’s scheduled for a day off on Thursday, but then he’s hoping to hit off a coach on Friday and off a machine on Saturday.
Schanuel said he’s expecting to do some defensive drills in the coming days, too.
Schanuel, who will not accompany the team to Pittsburgh, is hoping to join the Angels next week, either at the start of the week in Boston or by next weekend in Washington.
“He’s definitely feeling better,” Manager Kurt Suzuki said. “I think he’s progressing to the point where he can kind of see the light, see that it’s getting close, so I think that’s a good sign. I definitely don’t want him to do too much and jump the gun. He’s going to be smart about it. But I definitely like the fact that he’s feeling better.”
The Angels have had trouble hitting for most of the second half of the season, so losing Schanuel has been difficult. Schanuel’s .736 OPS trails only Mike Trout and Zach Neto among Angels who have played at least 100 games this year. He’s also one of the best on the team at putting the ball in play.
SUZUKI’S FUTURE
Arte Moreno’s sale of the Angels to Stan Kroenke has created a whirlwind of questions about the future.
Suzuki is trying not to think about what it means for him. Suzuki is nearing the end of his one-year deal as manager.
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“I love it here,” Suzuki said on Wednesday, a day after the sale was announced. “I love what I’m doing. I’m not trying to avoid the question, but right now my focus is on the players and how to get them better. Obviously this is an exciting time for the Angels, and a different direction, but I’m trying not to think of myself and just thinking all of this stuff will take care of itself.”
NOT SO FAST
A report in Forbes about Kroenke’s plans for a new ballpark was premature, according to multiple sources. The portion of the story mentioning the new ballpark was removed after it had been picked up by numerous outlets.
It has been widely assumed, because of Kroenke’s history in real estate and stadium development, that eventually the Angels would have someplace new, but there’s nothing concrete to report at this time.
NOTES
Right fielder Josh Lowe was a late scratch from the lineup because of neck stiffness following a dive in the outfield during Tuesday night’s game. Lowe was available off the bench. …
Right-handed reliever Sam Bachman (radial nerve inflammation) pitched Tuesday in Arizona. “Velo was up and I think he recovered pretty well too,” Suzuki said. “We’re just kind of taking the next steps to his next appearance. But I know he’s feeling good, so that’s a good sign.”
UP NEXT
Angels (RHP Ryan Johnson, 3-7, 5.47 ERA) at Pirates (TBD), Friday, 3:45 p.m. PT, Apple TV, 830 AM
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