Angels’ Peter Bourjos takes big step in return from injury

Peter Bourjos’ rehabilitation from a left-hamstring strain moved into high gear Wednesday when the Angels center fielder ran from home to first, first to third and first to home at near-full speed for the first time since suffering his injury April 29.

“He’s made some big strides this week,” Manager Mike Scioscia said of Bourjos, who was hitting .313 with a .370 on-base percentage when he got hurt in a 19-inning loss to Oakland on April 29. “No doubt, he could be in some minor league rehabilitation games next week.”

Bourjos has been hitting and shagging balls in the outfield. He’ll take Thursday off and run the bases more aggressively Friday and Saturday, which is the last hurdle before starting a minor league stint.

“Every day I’ve gotten a little better,” Bourjos said, “and today was the strongest I’ve felt and hardest I’ve pushed it.”

Mike Trout has thrived offensively since returning to center field April 30, batting .346 with eight homers, five doubles, five triples and 25 runs batted in in 27 games there.

When Bourjos returns, he is expected to play center, with Trout moving back to left, a spot the 2012 American League rookie of the year is less comfortable in. But if there is any plan for Bourjos to play left and Trout to remain in center, it would be news to Bourjos.

“They haven’t said anything,” Bourjos said. “My concern is getting healthy, getting back out there and playing, and whatever happens after that I’ll deal with it when the time comes.”

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