Shane Robinson quickly makes his way into the Angels’ plans and lineup

Shane Robinson, all 5 feet 9, 170 pounds of him, has hit six homers in six big league seasons and two postseasons, the most memorable of which sailed over the wall that was directly behind him Thursday night, left field in Dodger Stadium.

It came in Game 4 of the 2013 National League Championship Series when Robinson, then a St. Louis reserve outfielder, hit a pinch-hit, solo homer off Dodgers left-hander J.P. Howell in the seventh inning of a 4-2 Cardinals victory.

The fact that Robinson didn’t even think of the homer until a reporter mentioned it three hours before Thursday night’s Freeway Series game shows how much his head was spinning.

Robinson was a Cleveland Indian just three days ago. Unhappy with his potential for playing time there, Robinson opted out of his contract on Tuesday, signed a minor league deal with the Angels on Thursday and started in left field for his new team Thursday night.

“I’m just trying to get everything situated, to figure out the dynamic of a new team, to fit in,� Robinson said. “I’m trying not to step on anyone’s toes. It’s kind of weird jumping into a new place this late.�

Robinson, 31, is a career .237 hitter who seldom strikes out — he has 92 career strikeouts and 56 walks in 649 plate appearances. He has good speed and is versatile enough to play all three outfield spots.

While he is not expected to push Craig Gentry out of his platoon role as the right-handed-hitting left fielder, Robinson could challenge for a bench spot. At the very least, he will go to triple-A Salt Lake and provide organizational outfield depth.

“We want to continue to provide options for the major league club,� General Manager Billy Eppler said. “We want to get a good look at him over the next four games. He does a lot of the things that we value. He’s a contact hitter and a plus defender. We just want to lay our eyes on him and see where it goes.�

Trout out

Center fielder Mike Trout, who is batting .388 (19 for 49) with four homers and a 15 runs batted in this spring, was suffering from a stomach virus on Thursday and did not make the trip to Dodger Stadium. But Manager Mike Scioscia said he expects Trout to play Friday night.

Trout also missed the first game of the annual preseason Freeway Series because of a stomach virus two years ago. The next day, he signed his six-year, $144.5-million contract extension.

Weaver update

Scioscia said Jered Weaver, slowed by neck and shoulder problems this spring, was physically sound coming out of Wednesday’s six-inning, 85-pitch minor league outing in Arizona. The veteran right-hander is expected to pitch no later than April 11, the day the Angels need a fifth starter for the first time.

Follow Mike DiGiovanna on Twitter: @MikeDiGiovanna