ANAHEIM — With each passing game, it becomes more apparent that Nolan Schanuel’s bad ankle was most of why he started the season so slowly.

“I was losing my balance a lot, having to put pressure on because it was my back leg,” the Angels’ first baseman said. “Now that’s kind of faded away. I’ve been able to adjust to the offspeed pitch a lot easier and kind of hold my plane and hit balls to the off side of the field.”

Schanuel was hitting .262 with a .700 OPS on May 24, when he finally went on the injured list because of a sore left ankle that had been bothering him since early April.

He missed just two weeks and admitted he wasn’t yet 100% when he returned. Still, since coming off the injured list, Schanuel has hit .294 with an .802 OPS.

That includes a .321 average and .859 OPS over his last 22 games.

“I’m as healthy as I’ve been,” Schanuel said. “That’s a plus. I think everything is kind of working my way in the box. I feel more balanced. When I feel my best with my body, I think that plays a big role into things.”

The hot streak has brought Schanuel’s season numbers up to .273 and .737, which is right in line with what he did last season.

“It’s nice to be able to have the faith that just because I had a slow start, I didn’t get shipped out,” Schanuel said. “It was good to have people on my side. I know I’m capable of being a really good player.”

SLUMPING SOLER

Designated hitter Jorge Soler hasn’t done as well since he returned from a three-week stint on the injured list.

Soler has hit .175 with a .611 OPS since he was activated on June 22. He has struck out in 33% of his plate appearances.

Manager Kurt Suzuki isn’t ready to pull the plug, or even drop him from the cleanup spot in the lineup.

“I’ve thought about (dropping him in the lineup),” Suzuki said. “Just with him there, obviously as the threat that is. You give him an opportunity to come out of it.”

Suzuki pointed out that Soler’s last at-bat on Saturday night was good. He hit a 102 mph line drive for a single into left field.

It’s possible the Angels are giving Soler every opportunity to pull out of this slump in the hope that he could make himself attractive as a trade candidate before the Aug. 3 deadline.

Suzuki said the reason he’s getting a long leash is that Soler, 34, has a history of being a productive hitter.

“He’s earned that right by the career that he’s had,” Suzuki said. “He’s going to get a little bit more leash than some younger guys.”

Soler’s return also reduced the at-bats for players like Wade Meckler and Donovan Walton, who has since been designated for assignment and claimed by the A’s. The Angels hit .271 and averaged 5.6 runs per game while Soler was on the injured list. Since he’s been back, they’ve hit .237 and averaged 3.5 runs per game.

NOTES

Infielder Adam Frazier (elbow) has reported to Triple-A Salt Lake to begin a rehab assignment. …

Catcher Travis d’Arnaud (plantar fasciitis) scored from first on a double during the first game of his rehab assignment on Friday. That’s a good sign because running is the biggest test for d’Arnaud’s foot injury. …

Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (shoulder) is scheduled to face hitters “in the next few days,” Suzuki said. Kikuchi said earlier this month his target was to be pitching in the majors in early August. …

The Angels activated utilityman Gustavo Campero from the injured list and optioned him to Triple-A. It’s essentially a paperwork move. The only reason that Campero was added to the 40-man roster in June was because he had an out in his contract. As a result, he collected a major league salary and major league service time while he was injured.

UP NEXT

Cardinals (RHP Kyle Leahy, 7-4, 3.73) at Angels (RHP José Soriano, 8-6, 3.49), Monday, 7:10 p.m., ESPN, 830 AM