HOUSTON — Whether or not Jo Adell gets a shot to play in the majors in September, he’s still going to experience a new level.
Adell was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League, which will allow the Angels’ top prospect to hit against many other top pitching prospects in the game’s premier showcase of minor league talent.
Adell, who is considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball, will likely be the headline prospect for the entire league. The AFL announced via Twitter that Adell would be in the league, but the rest of the league’s participants have not been released yet.
Adell will play for the Mesa Solar Sox, whose season starts Sept. 18 and runs through early November.
Adell, 20, has hit .285 with 10 home runs and an .842 OPS this season, playing at Class-A, Double-A and Triple-A. Since moving to Triple-A, he has hit .241 in 18 games. His first two homers at Triple-A were both erased when the game was called because of rain before it became official on Wednesday.
SIMMONS RETURNS
Shortstop Andrelton Simmons was activated from the injured list after being out with a sprained ankle and bone bruise for about three weeks.
Simmons faced live pitching in a simulated game setting, but he did not play any minor league games in his rehab.
Simmons was out earlier this season with a sprained ankle, and he returned quicker than expected. He said on Friday that he doesn’t believe he came back too early the first time.
“I wouldn’t do it any different,” Simmons said. “It’s unfortunate that I got hurt again, but it is what it is. Things happen.”
Simmons returned just in time to wear a Players’ Weekend jersey with his nickname, Simba. In past years he had been advised that there might be some copyright issues with the Lion King, so he used “Simon” instead. This year, Simmons said “they gave me the OK, so I’m going with it.”
ALSO
Relief pitcher Keynan Middleton, whose rehab outing on Wednesday night was also rained out, was scheduled to pitch on Friday and Sunday, Ausmus said. Middleton is almost finished with his rehab from Tommy John surgery. …
Catcher Kevan Smith, who is out with back spasms, worked out on the field and could be activated within a day or two, Ausmus said. …
The Angels designated Wilfredo Tovar for assignment to create a spot for Simmons on the 25-man roster.
UP NEXT
Angels (LHP Dillon Peters, 3-1, 3.92 ERA) at Astros (RHP Wade Miley, 12-4, 3.18), Saturday, 4:10 p.m., Fox Sports West, 830 AM
