ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The road to Josh Hamilton's return to the Angels lineup has hit a small bump.
The Angels outfielder is currently with Triple-A Salt Lake City on a rehab assignment but was scratched from his start Friday.
In his last at-bat Thursday, Hamilton was jammed on a pitch and experienced "a little discomfort" in his injured left thumb, but Angels manager Mike Scioscia says it should not be a major setback.
"We're not overly concerned right now," Scioscia said. "Today, it felt better but he wants to give it one more day to get over it."
Hamilton took batting practice Friday but didn't feel a comfort level at the plate to be able to play in the game, Scioscia said.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY & best wishes to @thejoshhamilton! We hope to see you sliding back into the line up soon! #Birthday pic.twitter.com/o2j8lHPb0l
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) May 21, 2014
In the first game of his rehab assignment Thursday, Hamilton went 2-for-4 with a double in the Bees' 1-0 loss to Albuquerque, the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate.
Hamilton was expected to play in just three rehab games in hopes of a return to the Angels lineup Monday in Seattle, but after being scratched Friday, a return on Memorial Day may no longer be in the cards. Scioscia, however, didn't rule out Hamilton returning Monday, only saying the club would take it one day at a time.
The Angels slugger is expected to return to the Bees lineup Saturday.
Eat, Sleep & Vote Vote Vote!!! http://t.co/K5RHqpKIW8 #VoteTrout #VoteHK #VotePujols #VoteAybar #VoteAngels pic.twitter.com/gQKsWT6M11
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) May 23, 2014
While the Angels await Hamilton's return in the lineup, a left arm returned to the Angels bullpen Friday in the form of Sean Burnett who was activated from the 15-day DL.
To make room for Burnett, outfielder Efren Navarro was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake City.
Burnett, who hasn't pitched since May 26 of last year, admitted to having some nerves on his way to the ballpark Friday knowing he has a chance to take the mound.
"It's a special day for me," Burnett said. "It's what I've been waiting for a year now. I've been coming here with no chance to play and it's just not very fun. Hopefully, I can join the team now and be a part of the team and get back out there and just be a baseball player again instead of rehabbing and worrying about the elbow all the time."
Burnett appeared in just 13 games last season before having to undergo season ending elbow surgery in August. His last appearance came against the Kansas City Royals, who coincidentally enough, are in town to face the Angels for a weekend series. Friday and Sunday's games can be seen on FOX Sports West.
