OC Register: Angels’ Andrelton Simmons optimistic that latest ankle injury isn’t as bad as last year’s

[AngelsWin.com]

ANAHEIM — Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons isn’t ready to put a timetable on his return, but he doesn’t feel this injury is as bad as the one that cost him five weeks last year.

“It’s not as bad as the last one for sure,” Simmons said Thursday night, the first time he’d spoken to the media since spraining his left ankle lunging for the bag on Monday in Oakland.  “I’m pretty optimistic. I’m starting to be able to move around way better than the first two nights.”

Simmons has crutches that he uses to walk long distances, although he said he can walk without them.

He said he did not get an MRI because “I’ve been down this road once or twice. I have a pretty decent idea what’s going on.”

This is the third straight year Simmons has suffered an ankle injury. In 2018 he slipped on the dugout stairs before a game, and he missed just over a week. Last year he was injured lunging to get to first, exactly as he was on Monday.

He said he’s learned a lesson now and has a different plan for trying to beat out infield hits.

“Diving head first,” he quipped.

Whatever amount of time Simmons misses will be significant for the Angels in this 60-game sprint of a season, and for Simmons. The 30-year-old is set to be a free agent at the end of the season.

Related Articles

• Angels’ Mike Trout placed on paternity list
• Angels’ Brian Goodwin says it’s important to continue the discussion about equality
• Angels bullpen implodes, spoiling big offensive night
• Hoornstra: Minor league baseball players face an awkward present, uncertain future
• Joe Maddon doesn’t want Angels pitchers taking aim at the Astros

View the full article