Brad Hawpe is back in majors with Angels after two-year absence

BOSTON -- Almost two years since he last played in the big leagues, veteran outfielder Brad Hawpe, who sat out most of 2012 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, buttoned up a big league jersey Saturday morning in the Angels’ Fenway Park clubhouse.

“It feels nice,” Hawpe, 33, said of his recall from triple-A Salt Lake. “It’s been awhile.”

Hawpe last played in a big league game for the San Diego Padres on June 18, 2011, a few months before elbow surgery “knocked me for a loop,” he said. He played 35 games for the Texas Rangers’ double-A team last season but arm problems forced him to take the summer off, not that that was such a bad thing.

“It was great,” said Hawpe, who played in the 2007 World Series with the Colorado Rockies. “I got to spend time with my kids out on the lake. I’m a family guy first. ... I thought about retiring if something right didn’t come along. I didn’t need to do something just to do something.”

Hawpe went to spring training with the Pittsburgh Pirates in February but was cut. After having lunch with former Rockies teammate and current Angels catcher Chris Iannetta in April, Hawpe signed a minor league deal with the Angels after Iannetta recommended him to General Manager Jerry Dipoto.

Hawpe, who hits left-handed and can play the corner outfield spots and first base, hit .305 with six homers and 28 runs batted in at Salt Lake. Though his time with the Angels could be short -- center fielder Peter Bourjos is expected to be activated Monday -- Hawpe appreciates the opportunity.

“I had a bunch of good memories in this game -- I’ve been fortunate and blessed,” Hawpe said. “But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like to make more memories.”

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