ANAHEIM – Garrett Richards passed another important milestone on his way to the 2017 Angels rotation on Wednesday afternoon.

Richards threw one simulated inning, his first time pitching to hitters since learning he had damaged his ulnar collateral ligament in May.

After the outing, he had the same optimistic tone he’s had throughout his rehab, in which he’s been hoping stem-cell therapy could help him avoid Tommy John surgery.

“Warming up everything felt good,” he said. “I felt good on the mound… The ball is coming out of my hand good. It’s got the same action as before, so that’s encouraging.”

Richards threw 20 pitches in four plate appearances, facing Shane Robinson twice, Nick Buss and Ji-Man Choi. He got the first three hitters to hit routine on ground balls. He broke Robinson’s and Buss’ bats. Robinson then hit what would have been a single into left the second time he faced Richards.

Richards threw fastballs, curves and sliders. He said he has abandoned the changeup that he was working on in spring training and in April.

“I’m just trying to repeat my delivery and locate the ball and pretty much establish fastball command,” Richards said.

The pitches he’s throwing aren’t particularly relevant at the moment, since the only point is for him to be able to go at game-speed without any discomfort.

“He looked good,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “These are just baby steps right now, but it’s an important first step. He felt great during the workout. We don’t anticipate him doing anything but feeling good in the next couple days.”

Richards’ next step will be a game on Monday in instructional league. It will be his first time facing another team – albeit mostly low level minor leaguers – since his May 1 start at Texas.

Richards is scheduled for three instructional league outings, building up to about 50 pitches, and then a follow-up exam and imaging. If he clears those hurdles by mid October, he will be cleared for a normal winter and can be penciled into the Angels 2017 plans, without Tommy John surgery.

Contact the writer: jlfletcher@scng.com