Angels: Morning spring-training report
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TEMPE, Ariz. -- New guy in right field today. An eight-time all-star who has hit .300 or better and 25 homers or more for 11 straight seasons. You might have heard of him. Goes by the name of Vladimir Guerrero.
The Angels slugger, who underwent surgery to repair cartilage damage and remove scar tissue in his right knee last October, will make his 2009 spring debut against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Tempe Diablo Stadium today.
Expectations aren’t too high. Asked what he was looking for out of Guerrero, manager Mike Scioscia joked, ‘Oh, about 900 feet of fly balls in two at-bats.’
Guerrero is scheduled to play three or four innings in the field and, hopefully, get two at-bats. He will be worked back into the lineup slowly, probably alternating between right field and designated hitter over the next week or so.
Top pitching prospect Anthony Ortega, who was expected to compete for a rotation spot but has been slowed by a forearm injury, is also scheduled to make his spring debut today, and closer Brian Fuentes, who struggled in his last outing on Tuesday, is scheduled to pitch. Jered Weaver will start opposite of Arizona right-hander Jon Garland, who pitched for the Angels last season.
The Angels lineup:
3B Chone Figgins
2B Howie Kendrick
RF Vladimir Guerrero
CF Torii Hunter
1B Kendry Morales
LF Gary Matthews Jr.
DH Juan Rivera
C Jeff Mathis
SS Erick Aybar
P Jered Weaver
In other news, Kelvim Escobar, rehabilitating from shoulder surgery, came out of Thursday’s 30-pitch simulated game OK and will pitch in a minor league game Sunday.
Catcher Mike Napoli, also recovering from shoulder surgery, has extended his long-toss program to 180 feet, and Thursday he threw to second base out of a full squat and in full gear for the first time. Napoli believes he can be ready to catch by the April 6 season opener but will probably open the season on the disabled list.
-- Mike DiGiovanna