OC Register: Angels’ Kole Calhoun set to begin rehab assignment at AAA

[AngelsWin.com]

SEATTLE — Kole Calhoun’s oblique is feeling better, so now he has a chance to get to work on his swing in game action.

Calhoun was set to begin a rehab assignment Wednesday night at Triple-A Salt Lake City, which provides him an opportunity to get right at the plate.

“I think he’s been working on adjustments the whole season, trying to get his swing where he wants it,” Manager Mike Scioscia said Wednesday morning. “He feels comfortable with that. We just want him to go out there and hit and see how he feels and see how it goes.”

Calhoun was hitting .145 when the Angels placed him on the disabled list with a strained oblique June 2. Calhoun went to Arizona to work out at the Angels’ spring training complex, and now he’s ready to begin playing again.

A rehab assignment for a hitter can last up to 20 days, which gives the Angels some time to evaluate Calhoun.

Although Calhoun hit well below his career averages, the players who have replaced him haven’t fared much better. Chris Young was hitting .154 prior to Wednesday’s game. Jabari Blash was hitting .125 in his first 16 at-bats. Michael Hermosillo hit .143 in 21 at-bats.

Collectively, the Angels’ .413 OPS and .154 average out of right field are by far the lowest in the majors.

Calhoun was still playing Gold Glove-caliber defense before he got hurt.

BIG WEEK

David Fletcher’s promotion to the major leagues, for his debut Wednesday, was one of two significant events for his family this week. His younger brother, Dominic, is an outfielder for Arkansas, which just qualified for the College World Series in Omaha.

David Fletcher said Wednesday morning that his father was flying up to Seattle to see his debut, then heading to Omaha to watch Dominic.

“It’s an exciting week for both of us,” David Fletcher said.

The Fletcher brothers played at Cypress High. David went to Loyola Marymount before the Angels picked him in the sixth round of the 2015 draft. Dominic is a sophomore at Arkansas, so he’ll be eligible for the draft next year.

UP NEXT

Angels (Tyler Skaggs, 5-4, 3.08) at A’s (Trevor Cahill, 1-2, 2.27), Friday, 6:30 p.m., Fox Sports West, KLAA (830 AM).

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