Adell out after crashing into wall

HOUSTON >> The Angels are hoping that this Jo Adell injury doesn’t go the way so many others have this season.

Adell was out of the lineup on Sunday after banging into the left-field wall on Saturday night. Manager Joe Maddon said he doesn’t expect Adell to go on the injured list, and he hopes he can play when the Angels return to action on Tuesday.

“I want to believe so,” Maddon said after Sunday’s game. “Today off. Tomorrow off. Tuesday night game. I would love to write his name in the lineup.”

Of course, there have been a few other times this season that Maddon expressed optimism about an injury, and the player ended up missing more time than expected.

There has been no specific injury diagnosed for Adell.

“He’s just sore, in the hip and backside, where he hit up against the wall,” Maddon said.

Adell could have company in the trainers room, with outfielder Brandon Marsh also questionable after he fouled a ball off his foot in the ninth inning on Sunday.

Marsh stayed in the game to complete his at-bat, and immediately after the game Maddon said he hadn’t yet gotten a report on how he was doing.

“He’s gonna be sore, man,” Maddon said. “That got him pretty good.”

Pitching plan

After Packy Naughton starts on Tuesday in Chicago, the Angels are still unsure of who will start the last two games of the series.

Alex Cobb, who is on the injured list because of a wrist issue, is a candidate to start on Thursday afternoon.

On Wednesday the Angels could start Janson Junk, who made his big league debut with a start against the Texas Rangers on Sept. 5.

He gave up five runs in 3 2/3 innings, but four of them were unearned.

Although Janson’s raw stuff didn’t stand out, Maddon said he liked the poise he showed on the mound. He compared him to José Suarez, who has improved as he’s handled his emotions better on the mound.

“Let’s just get (Junk) out there again, at some point here, and give another opportunity because I liked the way he took the mound,” Maddon said. “I liked the way he was able to process the moment. I thought it was really good.”