ANAHEIM — Mike Trout still won’t put a timetable on his return to the field, but the Angels’ superstar continues to express optimism as he passes tests in his rehab.

Trout, who is out with rib cage inflammation, has been hitting soft toss in the cage and will take batting practice on the field on Saturday.

“It feels good,” Trout said. “I can’t give you a timeline. Sooner rather than later, I think.”

Head athletic trainer Mike Frostad added that “everything is going smoothly right now.”

Trout played long toss and ran at 80% speed on Friday afternoon. Frostad said he’s cleared on both running and throwing, so it’s just a matter of when he’s ready to hit.

After batting practice against coaches, Trout will need to face live pitching, which will first be in a simulated game and then could include a minor league rehab assignment. Trout and Frostad said they aren’t sure if he’ll need to play in the minors yet. Trout has been out since July 12.

Although it’s too late for Trout to help save the Angels’ season, a healthy return would certainly provide the Angels some encouragement about the three-time American League MVP’s future as they plan for next season.

“It’s exciting,” Manager Phil Nevin said. “I think it’s exciting for everybody in our room, on the field, fans. It’s good for baseball to have Mike on the field.”

RENDON UPDATE

Third baseman Anthony Rendon took some ground balls on Friday, the first baseball activity he’s done since undergoing wrist surgery in June.

Rendon is out for the season, but his progress should allow him to have an offseason without rehab, Frostad said.

“I don’t see anything that would delay his offseason at all,” Frostad said. “That’s been the goal all along for him to have a normal offseason to go into next spring.”

OHTANI SCHEDULE

Nevin said the Angels will keep Shohei Ohtani pitching every sixth day as much as possible for the rest of the season, moving the other pitchers around to accommodate that.

Nevin said that they gave Ohtani enough extra days off earlier in the season that he can now handle this, and this is also what Ohtani wanted.

Ohtani’s next start is scheduled for Monday against the Seattle Mariners. Barring any changes, Ohtani would then be in line to pitch on Aug. 21 at Detroit, Aug. 27 at Toronto, Sept. 2 at home vs. the Astros, Sept. 9 at Houston, Sept. 16 at home vs. the Mariners, Sept. 22 at Texas, Sept. 28 at home vs. the A’s and Oct. 4 in Oakland.

That would give Ohtani 28 starts. He made 23 starts in 2021.

VISIT FROM AN OLD FRIEND

Ohtani’s manager from the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters was at Angel Stadium on Friday. Hideki Kuriyama is now set to manage Japan’s team in the World Baseball Classic next year.

Kuriyama said he hadn’t yet had a chance to talk to Ohtani about participating in the WBC.

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Asked how he’s felt about watching Ohtani’s success in the majors, Kuriyama said through an interpreter: “To me, it’s more of a relief to see him succeed the way he has. More than I’m happy or satisfied. … I think I’ll be happy once he’s done with baseball.”

NOTES

Right-handed reliever Archie Bradley (right elbow fracture) still has not thrown. Frostad said that Bradley is “still a ways away.” The Angels are hoping that by next week he’ll be able to start throwing. …

Infielder Matt Duffy (back) has been rehabbing in Arizona, but he will join the Angels on Saturday for an evaluation and to work out. Duffy is expected to go on a rehab assignment next week. …

Right-hander Michael Lorenzen (right shoulder strain) threw his second bullpen session of the week. He will face some hitters on Tuesday.

UP NEXT

Angels (LHP Reid Detmers, 4-3, 3.44) vs. Twins (RHP Dylan Bundy, 6-5, 5.01), Saturday, 6:07 p.m., Bally Sports West, 830 AM