Los Angeles Angels

Tyler Skaggs was going to be among the starters making up for the absence of ace Garrett Rich

ards. Now others are going to have to step in for Skaggs.

The left-hander is out for an estimated two to three months because of a strained muscle in his right side after becoming one of the team’s most consistent starters.

Skaggs felt a pinch in his side in his April 28 outing and was forced to exit after five innings. The Angels had their fingers crossed that his departure wasn’t because of a serious setback, but an MRI revealed otherwise.

“It’s not the outcome we were looking for, but very seldom is a season free of challenges, so this is another challenge for us,” general manager Billy Eppler said.

Skaggs returned last summer after missing almost two seasons following Tommy John elbow surgery. After two shaky starts this season, he had allowed three earned runs in his last 19 innings.

At least Skaggs has a timetable to be back on the mound. Richards, bothered by a nerve issue in his right biceps, hasn’t thrown since his lone 2017 start and remains out indefinitely.

Mike Trout, who has never been on the disabled list, was trying to navigate a hamstring injury that cost him some games. The club said it was being cautious in resting the 2016 AL MVP, but hamstrings can be tricky. Trout has started at least 157 games in each of the last four seasons.