Mike Trout returns to Angels’ lineup as designated hitter

Reporting from Houston —  Mike Trout was back in the Angels’ lineup for Thursday night’s game against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.

The outfielder was batting second as the team’s designated hitter.

Trout promptly tripled in his first at-bat against Houston starter Brad Peacock and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Albert Pujols, giving the Angels a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

Trout, 22, missed games Saturday and Sunday because of stiffness in his back, then played only one inning Tuesday before soreness returned.

Trout had an MRI exam on Wednesday that revealed inflammation in his back but no major damage. He also sat out Wednesday night’s game.

Here’s the Angels’ lineup for Thursday night’s game, the third and final game of the series against Houston:

Calhoun RF
Trout DH
Pujols 1B
Hamilton CF
Kendrick 2B
Freese 3B
Ibanez LF
Iannetta C
Aybar SS
Tyler Skaggs P