Morales can’t find a spot

CHICAGO -- Kendry Morales’ pinch-hit run-scoring double in the eighth inning Friday, a ball that was smoked over the center fielder’s head, was a stark reminder of what the Angels have occasionally missed -- and could miss for the rest of the regular season -- because of Vladimir Guerrero’s elbow injury.

Guerrero, who has an inflamed right triceps, tried to play catch Friday for the first time since being scratched Sept. 6, but had to stop because his elbow was “a little cranky, a little stiff,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “He threw enough to know he has a little ways to go.”

Guerrero has been relegated to designated hitter for five games, and it appears he will remain at DH for at least another week.

The domino effect: Chone Figgins moved from third base to right field, Maicer Izturis is playing third, and Morales, who put a charge into the offense after being recalled from triple-A Salt Lake by going 20 for 55 (.364) with one home run and six runs batted in in 13 starts from Aug. 24to Sept. 8, is on the bench.

“It’s been a challenge to get some of the bats we like in the lineup,” Scioscia said. “Kendry is not out there as much as we’d like.”

The Angels have been working Morales, a first baseman, in right field this week, but Scioscia is not ready to start him there.

“He played outfield at a high level on the Cuban national team, so he’s familiar with it,” Scioscia said. “There’s a lot he has to do to get comfortable, and he’s working toward that. It could be an option.”

Scioscia said Bartolo Colon had “some stiffness” Saturday after allowing five runs -- three earned -- and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings of Friday’s 5-3 loss, his first big league start since July 23.

Though Scioscia said it “doesn’t look like anything bad,” he would not commit to another start for Colon, who hopes to impress the Angels enough to earn a spot on the playoff roster.

It appears Colon’s stiffness -- and three hitless relief innings Friday by Ervin Santana, who lost his rotation spot to Colon -- has Scioscia wavering between the two.

“We want Bart to throw a bullpen, and we’ll evaluate things after that,” Scioscia said. “We also want to keep Ervin stretched out in case he goes back to the rotation. Ervin throwing the ball well for us is important. If he can help us out of the bullpen, it will add depth.”

The swelling in Gary Matthews Jr.’s sprained right ankle has subsided so quickly that the center fielder, injured Tuesday, shed his crutches Thursday and his bulky plastic brace Friday.

On Saturday, Matthews, who thought the injury might jeopardize his playoff availability, was able to put his cleats on and play catch.

“It’s getting significantly better,” he said. “Walking around in regular shoes is something I took for granted -- it’s a great thing. There’s a little swelling, but it’s gone down a lot.”

There is no timetable for Matthews’ return, “but I’m definitely feeling more optimistic than I did three days ago,” he said.

Said Scioscia: “He’s got a little more bounce to his step, which is encouraging.”

Reliever Justin Speier, sidelined by a right knee ligament strain, played long toss and will throw a full bullpen session today. If all goes well, “I’ll be ready to go by Monday,” the right-hander said.

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mike.digiovanna@latimes.com