Angels’ Mike Trout to miss another game because of back tightness

Mike Trout will sit out his second consecutive game Sunday because of tightness in the middle of his back. But the Angels center fielder remained hopeful that, with Monday’s off day, he would recover in time to start Tuesday night in Houston.

“It’s a lot better than it was yesterday, but I still feel a little bit in there,” Trout said before Sunday’s series finale against the Oakland Athletics. “It stinks, because I want to be out there. But I don’t want it to get worse.”

Trout, who is 15 for 33 with three home runs and 10 runs batted in over his last nine games, raising his average from .263 to .294, was originally scheduled to start at designated hitter Saturday night.

But about two hours before the game, as the Angels were preparing for batting practice, Trout was scratched. He received treatment and anti-inflammatory medication Saturday night, and he was hooked up to an electric stimulation device before Sunday’s game.

Trout did not try to swing a bat but planned to ready himself for a pinch-hit appearance if necessary.

Asked if he was concerned the injury might linger, Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said, “That’s why we’re being so cautious. We want to make sure he gets this behind him. Hopefully, he’ll bounce back quickly.”