ANAHEIM — Mike Trout was not in the Angels’ lineup a day after he came out of a game with left groin tightness, but the team is hopeful that he’ll be back soon.

Head athletic trainer Mike Frostad said Wednesday that their level of concern with Trout is “not very high. He’s not concerned about it. He’s very upbeat. He’s moving around pretty good. And he’s really been in a great frame of mind.”

While that might ease the fears of some, the Angels have been burned repeatedly in recent years by injuries turning out to be more serious than first thought.

For now, Trout remains just day to day. Frostad said they didn’t even send the three-time American League MVP for an MRI exam, and there are no plans to do so.

“Mike’s doing OK,” Frostad said. “He’s feeling a little bit of soreness there in his groin today, but definitely better than it was last night. He’s gonna stay inside today, do a lot of treatments on it.”

Most of the other injury news Frostad reported in a session with the media was also positive.

Third baseman Anthony Rendon (right wrist inflammation) has been hitting in the cage and throwing. Frostad still wouldn’t put a timetable on his return, though.

“We’re hopeful, but we still don’t know at what point he’s going to be able to throw (at game speed),” Frostad said. “That’s probably more his issue right now, just being able to throw. I’ve watched him hit the last few days and it’s good.”

Right fielder Taylor Ward (right hamstring strain) is also improving to the point that Frostad said he is “hoping” that he’ll be able to play when the Angels begin a two-game series at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday.

Right-hander Austin Warren (nasal fracture) was scheduled to throw 25 pitches in a rehab outing for Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday night. That would be his third rehab outing.

Infielder David Fletcher (hip surgery) continues to do some light hitting, running and throwing, Frostad said. Fletcher is eligible in early July, and he said his goal is to be ready by then. Frostad said they “are not going to push him. We’d like to just take our time with him and make sure that everything is coming along appropriately. And if he does need a little more time, we’re not going to rush him.”

NEW ROLES?

Interim manager Phil Nevin said he would like to firm up the roles of his relief pitchers.

“I think those guys are better suited coming in as much as you can with clean innings here and there,” Nevin said. “Just communication with them. How they’re doing each day. Where they feel like they stand. Just talking to them on a daily basis. I feel like it’s important to touch each guy each day and let them know how important they are to our club. It’s everybody. But I want them to know what their roles are that day and we will continue to have those conversations and go over that each day.”

Nevin used right-hander Jaime Barria in a high-leverage spot on Tuesday night, but he said that was not necessarily an indication that he will no longer be the Angels’ long reliever. In that case, it was the 10th inning and Barria was at the end of the bullpen, so the Angels wanted to have him available for multiple innings.

Nevin also moved Shohei Ohtani to the leadoff spot. That also might be less of a philosophical change and more a case of who the Angels had available. Without Trout or Luis Rengifo (who was placed on the paternity list), the Angels’ lineup was even thinner than usual.

Nevin gave shortstop Andrew Velazquez a day off, too. Velazquez had been in an 0-for-20 slump. Nevin said he appreciates Velazquez’s defense, but noted that he’s never been an everyday player, so he might need more days off than he was getting previously.

NOTES

Left-hander José Suarez was optioned a night after he allowed three runs in five innings. The Angels don’t need a sixth starter until next week because they have an off day on Monday. Although the rotation has not been announced for this weekend against the New York Mets, the Angels could use Michael Lorenzen, Patrick Sandoval and Noah Syndergaard. They would then have Reid Detmers and Shohei Ohtani for the two games at Dodger Stadium. …

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Dillon Thomas was recalled, taking Suarez’s spot and providing some outfield depth while Trout is unavailable. Thomas played in four major-league games with the Seattle Mariners last season. He had an .887 OPS at Triple-A this season. …

In order to create a spot on the 40-man roster for Thomas, the Angels designated relief pitcher Ty Buttrey for assignment. Buttrey is trying to make a comeback after retiring before the 2021 season. He had a 5.11 ERA in 13 games at Triple-A. If he clears waivers, he could remain in the Angels’ system. …

The Angels recalled infielder Jack Mayfield to take Rengifo’s roster spot.

UP NEXT

Angels (RHP Shohei Ohtani, 3-4, 3.99) vs. Red Sox (RHP Nick Pivetta, 5-4, 3.50), Thursday, 6:38 p.m., Bally Sports West, 830 AM