Trout sits again but cites progress

OAKLAND — Mike Trout took batting practice Tuesday for the first time in three days and pronounced his tight left hamstring “definitely better.” But for the fourth consecutive game, the Angels center fielder did not start.

“It’s improvement every day,” Trout said. “I obviously want to play. I’m just anxious to get out there.”

An MRI exam Sunday ruled out damage, and a disabled-list stint does not appear likely. Still, Trout said, team officials did not want him to run at “50%” effort, so he planned to test the hamstring with running exercises Wednesday.

Asked if there was a chance he’d start Wednesday in Oakland considering the results of that test, Trout said he was unsure. “If I feel good, maybe,” he said.

Trout had never missed more than three consecutive starts. While he waits to heal, he has been icing the muscle with a hefty wrap, sitting, rooting and waiting.

“Sitting on the bench, it’s not fun,” Trout said. “You just cheer on your guys. What more can you do? Eat seeds, chew some gum, and go from there.”

Lamb suspended

Major League Baseball suspended Angels minor league left-hander John Lamb on Tuesday for 50 games after a second positive test for a drug of abuse, as listed by MLB.

Lamb, a 26-year-old Orange County native, was once one of the sport’s top prospects. He was dealt from Kansas City to Cincinnati in a 2015 trade involving Johnny Cueto, then released after a back surgery.

The Angels signed him to a minor league contract in December and supervised his injury rehabilitation. He has been building arm strength at the spring training complex in Tempe, Ariz.

Angels general manager Billy Eppler said Lamb can continue to work out there while suspended. Lamb did not respond to a text message seeking comment.

Pennington’s play

Seven years ago Tuesday at the Oakland Coliseum, Angels infielder Cliff Pennington, then of the Athletics, fielded a grounder for the final out of Dallas Braden’s perfect game.

Tuesday on Twitter, Pennington was reminded of his part in history.

“As players, you’re always thinking, ‘I want the ball hit to me,’ ” Pennington said. “In those moments, you’re telling yourself that, but in the back of your mind, you’re like, ‘Do I really?’ ”

Short hops

Left-handed prospect Nate Smith threw 67 pitches over 52⁄3 scoreless innings in his first start of the season for triple-A Salt Lake. Smith, 25, had sat out several weeks because of a forearm strain. … Right-hander Garrett Richards has not picked up a baseball, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said, since nerve irritation in his biceps forced him to the DL last month.