TEMPE, Ariz. — Josh Lowe has a simple explanation for why he’s so sure that he can be an impact big-leaguer with a mix of power and speed.

“I don’t think I need to re-prove that because I’ve done it,” the Angels outfielder said Tuesday morning.

Lowe is one of many players in Angels camp who is trying to return to form after getting derailed by injuries. Lowe was one of the most promising young players in the majors when he hit .292 with an .835 OPS, 20 homers and 32 stolen bases in 2023, his first full season.

Oblique injuries have contributed to a decline in the two years since. He’s hit .230 with a .670 OPS in the past two years.

Now, Lowe said he spent the winter doing what he needed to do physically to try to prevent future trouble with his oblique. If he’s healthy, he expects to be that player again.

“The good thing about that is I don’t have to go out and try super hard to be that because I already have done that,” said Lowe, 28. “It’s just a matter of going out and being myself and doing what it takes every day to go win a game and those numbers will show up at the end of the season. And I think if you’re going out and playing the game hard and playing the game to win for the people next to you, those things will take care of themselves.”

Lowe, who is 6-feet-4, is the type of physical specimen that makes scouts drool. He was drafted 13th overall by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016.

The pandemic interrupted his progress toward the big leagues. He reached the majors in 2021, and in 2023 showed star potential.

In 2024, he began to have oblique problems.

“The first time it happened, I was resting in spring training, just taking like a week,” Lowe said. “I just felt a little sore, and I think the build-up went too fast. Shame on me for just being too eager and wanting to go swing and hit, and that’s when the oblique happened.”

Last season, it happened to Lowe again, on Opening Day. He missed about a month and a half and wasn’t the same when he returned. He acknowledged that the injury may have continued to affect him even when he was active.

“I think oblique injures are more mental in a sense than they are physical,” Lowe said. “You kind of think ‘Oh, I hope I’m OK today.’ You’re kind of working through some stuff. But I feel great and ready to go.”

Lowe played right field for most of his time with the Rays. The Angels are going to try him at all three spots in the outfield. If Mike Trout can play center field, as is his preference, then Lowe and Jo Adell would be the likely corner outfielders. Both players have been more comfortable in right.

“I just want to be anywhere in the outfield where I can be in the lineup,” Lowe said. “Doesn’t matter. Left, center, right. Whatever gets me going and playing, that’s what I’m going to do. Whatever I can do to help the team win and play a lot, that’s my goal.”

At the plate, Lowe has a chance to help the Angels’ righty-dominated lineup do better against right-handed pitchers. Even as Lowe struggled last season, he still had a .727 OPS against righties. His problem was a .459 OPS against lefties.

CLARK FALLOUT

The shock of Tony Clark abruptly resigning as head of the Major League Baseball Players Association didn’t hit anyone in the Angels’ clubhouse as hard as it hit left-hander Brent Suter.

Suter has been on the MLBPA executive subcommittee since 2022, and prior to that spent three years as the Milwaukee Brewers’ player rep.

“Basically reporting directly to Tony for seven or eight years … I’ve definitely known Tony and his staff,” Suter said. “He’s like a mentor to me, like a dad to me, in a lot of ways …

“It’s been one of the honors of my life to be on the subcommittee. This is a tough day.”

Clark reportedly resigned because of an inappropriate relationship with a union employee. Suter said he couldn’t comment on the reason for the resignation.

The news comes as the players and owners are bracing for a battle with the end of the collective bargaining agreement Dec. 1. Suter said Clark’s departure should not be construed as a sign of weakness in the union.

“This doesn’t sink the ship by any means,” Suter said. “There’s a little wave on the boat, but the ship is still strong.”

NOTES

Right-handers Ben Joyce and Robert Stephenson each threw bullpen sessions from the top of the mound, after going only halfway up the slope previously. Both said afterward that the workouts went well. Joyce, who is rehabbing from shoulder surgery, and Stephenson, who had a nerve issue over the winter, are both behind the Angels’ other pitchers. Each still has time to be ready for Opening Day, although the Angels won’t rush them. …

Right-hander Nick Sandlin, who is rehabbing from elbow surgery, has thrown a bullpen session. He said his “goal” is to be ready for Opening Day. Sandlin is in camp on a minor-league deal, but he has a good chance to make the team if he’s healthy. He has a career 3.19 ERA in parts of five seasons. …

Twelve of the 18 pitchers who faced hitters Monday hit 98 mph with their fastballs, according to GM Perry Minasian. “It was good to be on the outside looking in,” manager Kurt Suzuki said. “These younger pitchers, they have an opportunity to make a name for themselves. Nobody’s talking about them, which I believe makes them hungrier. The guys are hungry, man.” …

Infielder Christian Moore worked out at third base Tuesday. Moore is expected to compete for the starting second-base job, but the Angels began exploring his versatility last fall.