Simmons day-to-day after injury

MESA, Ariz. — Shortstop Andrelton Simmons suffered a left shoulder strain that knocked him out of the Angels’ game Thursday against Oakland.

Tests confirmed the injury, and the Angels announced that Simmons is considered day-to-day.

He was hurt when he landed awkwardly while diving to stop a Jed Lowrie single in shallow left field in the fifth inning. Simmons rolled on the ground briefly before being attended to by team medical personnel.

“He gave us the feeling he’s fine,” manager Mike Scioscia said immediately after the game. “We’re definitely going to be cautious.”

Scioscia said Simmons also was evaluated by a doctor before leaving Hohokam Stadium.

Entering his third season with the Angels, Simmons is coming off a year in which he won a Gold Glove award and finished eighth in the American League MVP voting.

“He was a little bit sore,” Scioscia said. “Everything looks like it’s intact.”

So far, the Angels have had a relatively healthy spring training, with only a couple of minor injuries to role players. With Simmons, it appears they dodged a situation that could have been much worse.

Changing pace

Garrett Richards is emphasizing his curveball this spring and Tyler Skaggs his changeup.

“I can be a two-pitch pitcher, but I can only go so far with that,” Skaggs said. “It’s one of those things where I have to make a cognizant effort to throw it even if I’m not throwing it for a strike.”

The left-hander made his third start of the spring Thursday in a game the Angels lost 7-3.

In his 32⁄3 innings, Skaggs struck out four, including Matt Chapman twice. In September, Chapman was ejected from a game against the Angels after an altercation that stemmed from an alleged episode of sign stealing.

“Everything I’ve heard about him is he’s a great guy,” said Skaggs, who was pitching that day. Injury report

Despite still being slowed by a strained calf, fourth outfielder Chris Young remains confident he’ll be ready for opening day.

Young, who signed after spring training began, was injured only hours into his Angels career. He said he hopes to play in a game “in the next week or so.”

Infielder Jefry Marte (groin) said he could return to games Monday.

Short hop

Reliever Keynan Middleton hit Josh Phegley in the head with a pitch in the fifth inning. Phegley walked off on his own and was removed from the game.