Mike Trout says he's ready to play

SAN BERNARDINO >> Angels outfielder Mike Trout played a full nine innings for the club’s High-A affiliate Inland Empire 66ers on Sunday night in his final tuneup before getting back with the big club after the All-Star break.

“I feel ready to play,” Trout said.

It had been announced earlier in the week that Trout was going to play a fifth rehab game with the 66ers on Monday, but that changed.

“I’m where I want to be,” Trout said. I”m just getting my legs under me in center field, and I feel great.”

Trout played four games for the 66ers, going 2 for 9 with a double and a triple. He didn’t pick up his first hit of the rehab until his third game Saturday night when he doubled.

In the final tuneup, a 12-2 win for the 66ers, the two-time American League MVP finished Sunday’s rehab game 1 for 2 with three walks and a triple.

Trout, who batted leadoff, had two first inning at-bats, both resulting in walks. The first one, came after he battled back from 1-2 count, fouling off three straight pitches, then taking the next three pitches.

Trout got his second hit of the four-game stint in San Beardino, when he drove the first pitch he saw into the right-field gap. He legged it out for a triple.

Later in the sixth inning, Trout walked. He then went from first to third on a routine ground ball single to center field by Brennon Lund, sliding feet first safely past the tag.

Trout will get a break until the Angels host the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday.

“I’m going to go to the stadium and work out, (and) get my swings in,” Trout said. “I just need to be ready for Friday.”

Trout last suited up for the Angels on May 28 when he tore a ligament in his left thumb.

Before his injury, he had a .337 batting average with 16 homers and 36 RBI in 53 games.

Overall, Trout enjoyed his time in San Beardino.

“I’m always having fun out there, just playing free with these guys,” Trout said. “They’re a great group of guys... We were joking all day.”

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