This team's been great. I love (the coaches). It's been a great experience. They've treated me well. The city of Salt Lake has been great, so it's been a pleasant experience. – Angels outfielder Collin Cowgill

SALT LAKE CITY — The Los Angeles Angels aren't expected to take the field in Salt Lake City until March when the Bees and Angels battle in an exhibition match before the 2016 season starts.

However, it has been difficult to tell that with the recent rehab assignments to Salt Lake and other recent transactions.

Outfielders Collin Cowgill (wrist) and Matt Joyce (concussion) began their rehab stints over the weekend. Pitcher Matt Shoemaker is set to join the club Tuesday after being optioned Sunday.

Feeling healthy, Cowgill said he's enjoying his rehab stint with the Bees.

"I spent most of my 2011 season here (in the PCL) and I've always loved coming to Salt Lake City," Cowgill said prior to Monday's game against Omaha. "This team's been great. I love (the coaches). It's been a great experience. They've treated me well. The city of Salt Lake has been great, so it's been a pleasant experience."

Both Cowgill and Joyce said they're feeling healthy and prepared to rejoin the big league club soon. Joyce landed on the disabled list on July 26.

Joyce said his stint is more precautionary as he returns from his first concussion of his career. That's why he was being held out of Monday's starting lineup after originally being slated to play designated hitter.

"It's been a long arduous process to come back from a concussion," Joyce said. "It's not really an enjoyable one because the first couple of days you have some pretty bad headaches and you're dizzy. I feel a lot better now, just trying to get back into the flow of the game."

Joyce was struggling before the injury, hitting .178 in 86 games. The former All-Star is looking to get back up to the majors and change that.

"It's obviously been a real tough year for me," he said. "It feels like nothing has gone my way, but I really can't change the past and I try not to dwell on it, waste my time worrying or stressing about it. For me, I'm focused on right now and what I can control."

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Cowgill, on the other hand, is looking to regain form since going on the disabled list with his wrist injury on May 26.

"For me, the most important thing is timing," Cowgill said. "Seeing pitches, just trying to get a feel and being comfortable in the box. That hasn't been an issue so far, and I'd like to keep that feeling."

Both are hoping to energize a slumping Angels club, and they're optimistic that the team can correct recent woes.

"It's a roller coaster ride, and with the downs come the ups," Joyce said. "There's still a lot of baseball to be played, and right now we're still right in the middle of (the playoff race)."

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