ANAHEIM — The Angels aren’t taking any chances with catcher Logan O’Hoppe.
A day after O’Hoppe was hit in the helmet by a bat on a back-swing, the Angels went as far as to bring catcher Chuckie Robinson from Triple-A in case O’Hoppe wasn’t able to play on Tuesday.
O’Hoppe cleared the first round of concussion tests after Monday’s game. On Tuesday, he caught a bullpen session and took batting practice, but he was still awaiting final clearance from the doctor prior to Tuesday’s game.
O’Hoppe was not permitted to talk to the media until he’s fully cleared, but Manager Ron Washington said O’Hoppe reported to him that he was doing well.
“He’s feeling good,” Washington said. “Of course, he came in to the office to fight to get in there, but we’re just taking precautions.”
O’Hoppe was hit on the final out of the top of the eighth inning, when New York Yankees infielder Jorbit Vivas hit him on the top of his helmet on his back swing as he hit a flyout.
The Angels pulled O’Hoppe for the ninth inning.
“Any time somebody gets hit in the head, no one wants to take a chance,” Washington said.
TROUT UPDATE
Mike Trout ran the bases on Tuesday afternoon, marking the beginning of the final stage of his rehab from a left knee bruise. Trout has been on the injured list since May 1.
“He ran the bases today, light,” Washington said. “The next time he runs the bases, we’re going to ramp it up a little bit, running and stopping and all of that.”
Washington said the three-time American League MVP needs to run them aggressively, including quick stops. That will happen in the coming days.
Trout is also scheduled to get some at-bats against an Angels minor league pitcher on Wednesday afternoon. He has been taking regular batting practice almost every day.
All evidence suggests that Trout should be activated within a few days, but Washington remains noncommittal.
“I can’t answer that right now,” Washington said when asked if Trout could play this weekend. “I’ve got to see how things fare the next time on the base paths, and how he recovers.”
Trout, 33, has missed much of three of the last four seasons with injuries, and each of those times he suffered a setback when on the verge of returning. In 2023, he actually returned to play one game before getting hurt again.
NOTES
Right-handed reliever Robert Stephenson (Tommy John surgery rehab) was still the clubhouse for a second straight day on Tuesday, but he was not activated. Stephenson said he’s still waiting to hear whether he’ll be activated or continue his rehab assignment. Washington said Stephenson was going to throw a bullpen session to be evaluated. …
Taylor Ward was named AL Player of the Week, the first Angels player to win that honor since Luis Rengifo in September 2023. Ward hit .407 with three home runs and 12 RBIs in the week ending on Sunday. …
Right-hander Connor Brogdon has not allowed a run in his previous four outings, covering four innings, with four strikeouts and one walk. His average fastball in his outing last Wednesday was 97 mph, which is the hardest he’s thrown since 2021. “It’s been great,” Washington said. “His velocity has gone up. He’s starting to get the feel back for his changeup. So it’s been great. It’s nice to see.”
UP NEXT
Yankees (RHP Clarke Schmidt, 1-2, 4.58 ERA) at Angels (LHP Yusei Kikuchi, 1-4, 3.17 ERA), Wednesday, 6:38 p.m., FDSN West, 830 AM