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.

The USC men’s basketball team is coming off a seven-day break to face No. 10 Illinois on Wednesday, and it will be doing so with six important regular-season games left.

The Illini are second in the Big Ten Conference and a virtual lock for the NCAA tournament, while bracket projections have USC standing on uncertain ground.

ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, as of Tuesday, has the Trojans (18-7 overall, 7-7 Big Ten) as an “on the bubble” team that could snag one of 10 projected Big Ten bids. Projections released by NCAA.com on Tuesday have USC listed as a No. 10 seed.

USC’s next two games against Illinois and Oregon (9-16, 2-12) – the latter of which is not expected to make the tournament – could carry significant weight.

The Trojans have completed their final cross-country road trip of the season, pulling out a 77-75 win over Penn State before a late comeback attempt faltered in an 89-82 loss to Ohio State. The weeklong break that followed was welcomed.

“It’s been a long year so far,” assistant coach Earl Boykins told reporters after playing Ohio State. “I think this is a much-needed break for the guys. The three long trips we’ve taken this year are a lot. It’s going to be good for them to get the break and for us to get in the gym and get back to the basics.”

The Trojans have recently been without Chad Baker-Mazara. The 6-foot-7 senior missed the last two games due to a knee strain and was listed as day-to-day. An extra week of recovery could result in a quick return for Baker-Mazara, who has complemented freshman Alijah Arenas well at wing.

Arenas has been a spark since his return from injury and, after a rocky first collegiate game, he’s bounced back to score at least 20 points in the last three games.

Illinois (21-5, 12-3) had a significant player return in Sunday’s win over Indiana. Senior guard Kylan Boswell, who is averaging 14 points on 47.1% shooting this season, came back after missing nearly a month’s worth of games due to a broken right hand.

“This last month I’ve been doing everything I can to get my hand healthy, be in the right mental state for when I get back on the court,” Boswell told reporters after the Indiana game.

“Still trying to get adjusted, especially with my dominant hand. Today I missed a couple of easy layups. Just try to get adjusted on it, but overall, it’s fine. If it’s not going offensively, I’ll just do my best to help with other things to help the team.”

Illinois has built a high-scoring offense – even without Boswell. The Illini are the second-highest scoring team in the conference at 84.2 points per game while outscoring opponents by 16 points a game. Conversely, USC’s last 10 games have been decided by 10 points or less.

Winning on the boards will be critical for the Trojans. Illinois pulls down 41.2 rebounds a game, but USC isn’t far behind at 37.3 a game.

Jacob Cofie, a 6-foot-10 forward, is the Trojans’ leading rebounder at 7.3 per game and 6-foot-9 forward David Mirkovic leads Illinois with 8.0 per game.

ILLINOIS (21-5 overall, 12-3 Big Ten) at USC (18-7, 7-7)

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Galen Center

TV/Radio: Big Ten Network/ESPN LA 710

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The Orange County girls basketball rankings as of Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Notable this week: Sage Hill and Mater Dei remain No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, for their showdown in Pool D in the CIF-SS Open Division playoffs on Wednesday. The game at Sage Hill will tip off at 7 p.m. Both teams will advance to the quarterfinals but the winner will earn a home game for Saturday. … Villa Park, Orange Lutheran and Troy all rise after reaching the Division 1 quarterfinals.

ORANGE COUNTY GIRLS BASKETBALL TOP 25

(Records through Monday, Feb. 16)

1. Sage Hill (25-4): The Lightning ride a 20-game winning streak into their clash against visiting Mater Dei in the CIF-SS Open Division playoffs on Wednesday.

Previous ranking: 1

2. Mater Dei (24-5): The Monarchs are 6-0 against Sage Hill since the start of the 2021-22 season.

Previous ranking: 2

3. JSerra (19-7): The Lions travel to top-seeded and defending champion Ontario Christian on Wednesday to close out Group A in the Open Division playoffs.

Previous ranking: 3

4. Fairmont Prep (17-13): The Huskies finished 1-1 in Group B in the Open Division playoffs and could play at Ontario Christian in the quarterfinals Saturday.

Previous ranking: 4

5. Villa Park (23-7): The Spartans play at No. 2 seed La Salle in the Division 1 quarterfinals Wednesday.

Previous ranking: 6

6. Orange Lutheran (20-8): The Lancers play host to Moreno Valley in the Division 1 quarterfinals on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

Previous ranking: 8

7. Santa Margarita (18-12): The Eagles fell to Villa Park in the second round of the Division 1 playoffs after knocking off Crestview League champion Esperanza in the first round.

Previous ranking: 10

8. Troy (22-8): The Warriors ride a seven-game winning streak into their Division 1 quarterfinal against visiting Valencia of Valencia on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Previous ranking: 9

9. Esperanza (19-10): The Aztecs posted an 89-30 record over the past four seasons with all-time leading scorer Charlotte Muller.

Previous ranking: 5

10. Beckman (23-6): The Patriots won the South Coast League and reached the Division 1 playoffs after winning the Sea View League last season and qualifying for Division 2AA.

Previous ranking: 7

11. Rosary (21-9)

Previous ranking: 11

12. St. Margaret’s (23-7)

Previous ranking: 12

13. Portola (20-10)

Previous ranking: 13

14. San Clemente (17-12)

Previous ranking: 14

15. San Juan Hills (17-13)

Previous ranking: 15

16. Buena Park (20-6)

Previous ranking: 16

17. Los Alamitos (20-8)

Previous ranking: 17

18. Sonora (16-11)

Previous ranking: 18

19. Trabuco Hills (23-4)

Previous ranking: 19

20. Pacifica Christian (17-12)

Previous ranking: 21

21. Huntington Beach (20-9)

Previous ranking: 22

22. Yorba Linda (15-11)

Previous ranking: 25

23. Sunny Hills (19-12)

Previous ranking: Not ranked

24. Aliso Niguel (18-12)

Previous rank: Not ranked

25. Canyon (14-16)

Previous rank: Not ranked

Also considered: Cypress (16-13); El Dorado (16-14); El Toro (19-9); Godinez (15-11); Marina (17-13); Tesoro (17-13)

By MORGAN LEE, Associated Press

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — State legislators in New Mexico launched an investigation Tuesday into past activity at a secluded desert ranch where financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein once entertained guests, and whether local authorities looked the other way.

A bipartisan, four-member panel of state House representatives are investigating allegations that the ranch may have facilitated sexual abuse and sex trafficking. New Mexico lawmakers also say they want to know why Epstein was not registered as a sex offender after pleading guilty in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from an underage girl and whether there was corruption among public officials.

Democratic state Rep. Marianna Anaya of Albuquerque, a member of the truth commission, urged people to come forward with information about any abuse at the ranch linked to Epstein and other people who made it possible, at a news conference Tuesday.

“That perpetrator could not act alone. They could not run a sex ring alone, they could not commit these types of financial crimes alone. So we know as a commission that enablers must also be held accountable, including the state itself, if needed,” said Anaya . “If you do want to share, we’ll be here and we will be operating with confidentiality.”

Revelations of ties to Epstein have led to the departure or ousting of multiple high-profile people in recent days.

Epstein purchased the sprawling Zorro Ranch in New Mexico in 1993 from former Democratic Gov. Bruce King and built a 26,700-square-foot hilltop mansion with a private runway. The property was sold by Epstein’s estate in 2023, with proceeds going to creditors.

Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial in 2019 on charges that he sexually abused and trafficked dozens of underage girls.

Truth commission chairwoman and state Rep. Andrea Romero of Santa Fe has said that several survivors of Epstein’s abuse have signaled that sex trafficking activity extended to the ranch, which is about 35 miles south of Santa Fe.

“We’ve heard years of allegations and rumors about Epstein’s activities here. But unfortunately, federal investigations have failed to put together an official record,” Romero said Tuesday. “This truth commission will finally fill in the gaps of what we need to know.”

Commission members also include retired FBI agent and Republican state Rep. William Hall of Aztec and former district attorney and Rep. Andrea Reeb of Clovis. State House legislators who were present voted unanimously on Monday to create the commission with subpoena power and a budget of over $2 million.

While Epstein never faced charges in New Mexico, the state attorney general’s office in 2019 confirmed that it was investigating and had interviewed possible victims who visited the ranch.

In 2023, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez ordered an investigation into financial businesses utilized by Epstein and their legal obligations, resulting in agreements with two banks that dedicate $17 million to the prevention of human trafficking, according to a spokesperson for Torrez’s office.

By ED WHITE, Associated Press

DNA from gloves found a few miles from the Arizona home of Nancy Guthrie did not match any entries in a national database, authorities said Tuesday, the 17th day of her disappearance.

“There were no DNA hits in CODIS,” the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said, referring to the national Combined DNA Index System.

“At this point, there have been no confirmed CODIS matches in this investigation,” the department said, suggesting that other DNA samples had been put through the system.

CODIS is a valuable storehouse of DNA taken from crime suspects or people with convictions. Any hits could identify possible suspects in Guthrie’s disappearance.

The 84-year-old mother of NBC “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie was reported missing from her Tucson-area home on Feb. 1 after spending the previous night with family, police said. Her blood was detected on the porch.

A porch camera recorded video of a man with a backpack who was wearing a ski mask, long pants, a jacket and gloves. The FBI said the suspect is about 5 feet, 9 inches tall with a medium build.

Gloves were found approximately 2 miles from Guthrie’s home. The FBI has said that the gloves appeared to match those worn by the man in the video.

“There is additional DNA evidence that was found at the residence, and that is also being analyzed,” the sheriff’s department said.

In addition, the department said investigators are working with a manufacturer and experts to try to locate Guthrie by detecting her heart pacemaker. News media reported that a “signal sniffer” device has been attached to low-flying aircraft.

Savannah Guthrie posted an Instagram video Sunday in which she issued an appeal to anyone with information about what happened to her mother.

“It is never too late to do the right thing,” she said. “And we are here. And we believe in the essential goodness of every human being, that it’s never too late.”