Trout feeling ‘great’ after 1st action

Mike Trout didn’t have the results fans were hoping to see Wednesday night, but thatwasn’t themost important thing forhim.

Playing for the Angels’ high Class A affiliate, the Inland Empire 66ers, as part of a rehabilitation assignment, Trout was 0-for-3 with a strikeout. He batted third and served as the designated hitter.

ItwasTrout’s firstgame action since tearing a ligament in his left thumb sliding into second base May 28 in Miami. “I feel great,” he said. Before the game it was announced that Trout would get “two or three at-bats.” The good news for Angels fans is that he felt good enough for a third.

“It really wasn’t bothering me, so I tookanotherone,” Trout said. “I hadn’t seen live pitching in a month, so itwas about gettingmy timing back. My third at-bat I wasn’t thinking about anything other than getting a hit.

“My first at-bat (the injury) was definitely on my mind. The second at-bat I felt more comfortable and the third at-bat I didn’t think about it at all.“

Troutwas scheduled to play in the outfield Thursday at San Manuel Stadium.

“I’ll get a couple more at-bats, maybe play the field, see how it goes,” he saidWednesday.

Trout said hitting is the most important aspect of his rehab.

“Obviously you want to get on the field,” he said. “But (youwant to have) the mindset of swinging pain-free.”

A crowd of 3,618 was in attendance towatchTrout, about three times what would have been otherwise expected.

“They were great, very supportive of me and the 66ers,” Trout said.

Itwas Trout’s first game in the California League since playing for Rancho Cucamonga in 2010.