Simmons’ absence apparent in series opener

ANAHEIM — The Angels sorely missed Andrelton Simmons in the field and at the plate in Monday night’s 8-1 loss to the Mariners.

Simmons was scratched from the lineup before the opener of a three-game series at Angel Stadium, the result of a bruised right hand. He’s considered day to day. Simmons took grounders on the field before the game, but the club decided he couldn’t go about two hours before first pitch.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia said the injury was limiting Simmons both defensively and offensively. Simmons was not in the clubhouse when reporters were allowed in after the game, but it sounds like the Angels want to be cautious with the injury. Simmons fractured the same hand as a rookie with the Braves in 2012 and missed 57 games.

“He had injured that hand a couple years ago, and it came up a little sore in his pregame,” said Scioscia. “It just wasn’t going to work. We’ll get …

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