Nick Buss was ready for his call-up to the big leagues from the Angels

Nick Buss learned he earned his first major league call-up in nearly three years during the seventh inning Friday night in Salt Lake City, where he was toiling for the triple-A Bees. He called his fiancee, called his family, and then shipped across the country at 5 a.m.

When the 29-year-old outfielder entered the visiting clubhouse used by the Angels at Progressive Field, he realized it was not nearly the unfamiliar territory he remembered from his first stint in the majors, with the Dodgers in September 2013. Buss has already played with the majority of the Angels this season; 13 of the 24 players here now have also played for Salt Lake this season.

And so, for him, this is different. He went two for 19 as a Dodger, then spent 2014 with Oakland’s triple-A affiliate and 2015 with Arizona’s, as well, logging respectable yet unspectacular statistics each time. He spent each spring training in big league camp, as he did this year with the Angels, but never earned another chance until now.

“I feel like that first one is a little overwhelming,” Buss said. “Well, maybe I wouldn’t say overwhelming, but I’m happy I experienced that before, because I have a completely different feel when I found out I was coming this time versus last time. In 2013, I guess I wasn’t prepared for it at all. It was somewhat of a surprise, really. I feel like this year and, really, since then, I’ve mentally prepared to get that next opportunity.”

Buss went to USC, but hails from the northern suburbs of Detroit, three hours away from Cleveland by highway. Two carloads of family members and friends completed the drive to see him start his fifth major league game, this one delayed two hours by rain. If he can stick around for two weeks, they can watch him three more times at Comerica Park, where the Angels will conclude their next trip.

He said he had no idea the Angels were in Cleveland.

“The game is always on, but ultimately I feel like you are far more focused with what is going on in front of you, what’s going on with your game,” he said. “And, I think, everyone realizes it’s out of their control.”

The Angels had already tried three players from triple A in left field this year — Rafael Ortega, Shane Robinson and Todd Cunningham — forgoing Buss each time. Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said Buss would have been in consideration to be called up when the Angels required another outfielder in June. He was on the disabled list because of a strained right oblique.

“He was doing some things very consistently down in the minor leagues,” Scioscia said. “He’s playing well, and he’s a left-handed bat that will hopefully come up and give us a little production.”

The Angels on Saturday placed Robinson on the 15-day disabled list, creating 25-man roster space for Buss, and designated triple-A infielder Sean Coyle for assignment, creating 40-man roster space.

Robinson strained his right hip flexor in Friday’s loss. The Angels plan for him to rest it for about one week.

Short hops

Albert Pujols sat out Saturday, in what Manager Mike Scioscia termed a standard day for rest. Mike Trout took over as the designated hitter in his stead. “If Albert’s gonna get a day off, I’d rather try to infuse it with a semi-day for some other guys who’ve been playing a lot,” Scioscia said. …The Angels signed former Oakland closer Andrew Bailey to a minor league contract Saturday and released Al Alburquerque from their triple-A team, in a swap of veteran relievers who were once successful at the big league level. Philadelphia recently released Bailey, after he logged a 6.43 earned-run average in 33 appearances. The 32-year-old right-hander, the 2009 American League rookie of the year, owns a 3.20 career ERA, owing to his superb early-career marks. When he pitched Saturday, he became the 69th player to appear for the Bees this season, tying a franchise record.

pedro.moura@latimes.com

Follow Pedro Moura on Twitter @pedromoura