Angels’ Ryan returns, with a new spot

Brendan Ryan strolled into the Angels’ clubhouse early Wednesday afternoon, toting his belongings.

“Hey guys,” he said. “A little vacation.”

Ryan had been optioned to make room for Cliff Pennington on Saturday. But just four days later, on Wednesday, Ryan was recalled. Pennington was sent back to the disabled list with a hamstring injury.

Ryan, clutching his gear, started for his locker. It was pointed out to him that, hey, your locker’s that way.

“Oh!” he said. In his brief absence, the Angels had changed his spot. He was now among the pitchers. Coincidentally, Manager Mike Scioscia nearly used Ryan as a reliever in the ninth inning of a lopsided loss to the Texas Rangers last week.

Neither Ryan’s arm nor his bat were called upon Wednesday. His glove was — as a defensive substitution after Albert Pujols was used as a pinch-hitter.

Javy Guerra also joined Ryan on the roster. The right-handed reliever was called up from triple-A Salt Lake, switching places with left-hander Chris Jones.

Guerra pitched 11/3 innings against the Tigers on Wednesday, giving up one hit and one run, walking two.

Smith stumper solved

Scioscia’s reluctance to use Joe Smith on Tuesday caused some shoulders to shrug. Smith had thrown only 28 pitches since May 24, and he had a day off. Was something amiss?

Smith did not pitch again Wednesday, but he confirmed before the game that he is healthy, and would have been available, if needed. His extra day’s rest, he said, was a result of a taxing game May 29, when he threw 25 pitches and had to warm up in the bullpen three times. He also threw three pitches May 28.

“You’ve only got so many bullets,” Smith said.

Escobar out

Third baseman Yunel Escobar, who is nursing a bruised wrist, hit in the cage Wednesday and received treatment. But he was not in the lineup.

Escobar, Scioscia said, is “making progress, but he’s going to be best served to give it another day. With the off day tomorrow, he’ll be ready to go on Friday.”

zach.helfand@latimes.com