As they strive to reach the postseason for the first time in over a decade, the Los Angeles Angels activated top prospect Christian Moore from the 10-day injured list as well as face of the franchise Mike Trout, who missed two games due to an illness.
Moore, a 22-year-old second baseman, had been out since July 2 with a sprained left thumb. He played in four rehab games at Single-A Inland Empire and went 5-for-11 with a home run. Moore ranks as the club’s No. 1 and the league’s 46th overall prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.
Moore started at second in the Angels’ series finale against the visiting Chicago White Sox on Sunday. Similarly, Trout, 33, returned to the lineup as a designated hitter on Sunday. He remains unavailable to head back to the outfield due to a bone bruise in his surgically repaired left knee.
“Mike came in with way more energy and is in a good spot, and C-Mo is back after a few nice games down there,” Angels interim manager Ray Montgomery said. “It’s good. It gives us what we’re used to playing with.”
Moore batted .189 with three home runs and eight RBIs in 19 games for Los Angeles before landing on the injured list, the result of a diving play at second base.
“It was a little longer than expected, but I think that was just part of the process and let it heal completely,” Moore said. “Just wanted to make sure I was 100 percent before I put my body on the line for these guys. But I’m super excited to be back. I missed these guys.”
Trout, meanwhile, has hit .235 with 19 homers and 47 RBIs in 83 games.
The return of both players is a boon for the Angels, who entered Sunday 5 1/2 games back of the final American League wild-card spot. The team has not advanced to the postseason since 2014.
The Angels optioned infielder Scott Kingery to Triple-A Salt Lake after Saturday’s game to open a roster spot for Moore. He is 4-for-25 (.160) in 14 games with the Angels this season.
–Field Level Media
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