A year ago this week, Andrelton Simmons returned after missing more than a month because of a torn thumb ligament, the same injury to blame for center fielder Mike Trout’s continued absence.
Simmons returned with a batting average in the low-.200s and fragile confidence. Both only worsened in his first week back. So, his feelings at this stage in this season mark a stark contrast in the 27-year-old shortstop’s mind.
He entered Friday night hitting .277 with an above-average .748 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, and everything feels new.
“It feels way better to walk up there with a different confidence,” Simmons said.