Angels morning spring report: Abreu to start
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TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Angels will field their probable opening-day lineup, including Bobby Abreu in left field and Vladimir Guerrero in right field, for today’s first-ever Cactus League game against the Dodgers, which has been sold out for several days. Manny Ramirez is scheduled to start at designated hitter for the Dodgers.
Abreu’s start is his first since leaving the Angels on March 2 to join Venezuela’s World Baseball Classic team. The veteran, who signed a one-year, $5-million contract with the Angels the week before camp began, will use the next two weeks to get acclimated to left field, a position he has played only 15 times in his big league career, and the No. 3 spot in the order, between Howie Kendrick and Guerrero.
‘I’m going to switch my mind back to left field and concentrate over there,’ said Abreu, a right fielder by trade. ‘I want to play every day. I’m ready to go. I have to play with the guys hitting in front of me and behind me and see how we’re going to work things out.’
Just as important will be Abreu’s interplay with center fielder Torii Hunter, an eight-time Gold Glove Award winner whom Abreu will be leaning heavily on during his transition.
‘We’re going to have some conversations every day in the outfield,’ Abreu said. ‘I’ll see how far he can go [into the gap], how far I can go. We’ll see how the communication goes, where we want to position ourselves. He’s the captain of the outfield. He’ll tell you if he wants you to play back, shallow, toward the line, toward the gap. It definitely helps, because he can cover a lot of room.’
Today is also a big day for pitcher Kelvim Escobar, who will see his first game action since 2007. Escobar, far ahead of schedule in his return from shoulder surgery, is scheduled to throw 30-40 pitches over two innings of a minor league game.
Closer Brian Fuentes, slowed this spring by back tightness, is also scheduled to throw two innings in the controlled environment of a minor league game, where the Angels can limit his pitches per inning.
Ervin Santana, who is out because of an elbow ligament sprain, has extended his long-toss program to 105 feet, but Manager Mike Scioscia said the team won’t be able to get a real read on his recovery until he gets deeper into his throwing progression.
‘There’s no indication right now whether it’s going to take longer or if he’ll recover more quickly,’ Scioscia said.
The Angels lineup:
3B Chone Figgins
2B Howie Kendrick
LF Bobby Abreu
RF Vladimir Guerrero
CF Torii Hunter
1B Kendry Morales
DH Juan Rivera
C Jeff Mathis
SS Erick Aybar
P Dustin Moseley
-- Mike DiGiovanna