ANAHEIM -- The Angels received a major boost to their lineup on Sunday, as top prospect second baseman Christian Moore was activated from the 10-day injured list and superstar Mike Trout returned after missing two games due an illness.
Moore, who had been out since July 2 with a sprained left thumb, played in four rehab games with Single-A Inland Empire, going 5-for-11, including homering on Saturday. Moore, ranked as the club’s No. 1 prospect and the No. 46 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, started at second base and hit eighth for the Angels’ series finale vs. the White Sox on Sunday afternoon at Rate Field. Trout, meanwhile, batted third and returned as designated hitter, as he’s still not ready to play the outfield due to the 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,” interim manager Ray Montgomery said. “It’s good. It gives us what we’re used to playing with.”
Moore, 22, hit .189/.302/.396 with three homers, a triple and eight RBIs in 18 games before suffering his sprained thumb on a diving play at second base in Atlanta on July 2. He has come through in some big moments, including tripling for his first hit at Yankee Stadium on June 16 and hitting two homers, including a walk-off blast against the Red Sox on June 24.
“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.”
With Moore back in the fold, the Angels now have a logjam in the infield with veterans Yoán Moncada and Luis Rengifo. Scott Kingery was optioned to make room for Moore, who is expected to be the club’s everyday second baseman. Oswald Peraza, who was acquired in a trade with the Yankees on Thursday, offers additional depth.
It leaves Moncada and Rengifo to split time at third base, while Rengifo will also see some time in the outfield. But the Angels are also planning on giving Bryce Teodosio regular action in center field, which also allows for Jo Adell to play right field, where he excelled last year.
“Three [players] for two [spots],” Montgomery said of Moore, Rengifo and Moncada. “Luis will get some time in the outfield too. Since he's been at second base, he's been great, really good. And now today he’ll be at third. And then we'll see him in the outfield a little bit too. So we're gonna have to manage it.”