Greene Is Coming Back but Collins Still Not Sure Where He Will Use Him

You can bet Manager Terry Collins has spent plenty of time considering ways to get Todd Greene’s bat into the lineup, but he still isn’t sure how he’s going to do it.

Cecil Fielder was designated for assignment Wednesday to clear a spot for Greene, who will join the Angels today in Chicago. But where is Greene going to play?

“He’ll be in left field Friday,” Collins said. “After that, I can’t tell you.”

Tim Salmon, whose foot injury precludes him from playing in the field, isn’t going to be displaced as designated hitter often, especially now. Salmon hit .375 with five home runs and 11 runs batted in during the nine-game home stand that ended Wednesday. First base is a possibility, but Dave Hollins is starting to hit since being moved from third. And in left field, Darin Erstad’s primary backup, Orlando Palmeiro, is much better defensively than Greene and he’s hitting .368.

Greene--who hit .283 with seven homers and 20 RBIs in 29 games with triple-A Vancouver--was supposed to be the Angels’ everyday catcher and a power source in the heart of their lineup, but he has been slow to recover from off-season arthroscopic shoulder surgery. He has suffered several setbacks during rehabilitation stints this season and his ability to withstand sustained hard throws is still in question. In late May, the Angels determined the only positions he could play with his loose right shoulder joint were DH and first base, but he has played a few games in left field for the Canadians.

“The reports say that he’s doing fine in the outfield, but I don’t know, we’ll just have to see,” Collins said. “I don’t think he’s played in the field on back-to-back nights yet. It’s been first base, DH, outfield, DH. . .

“Can he make all the throws [from the outfield]? Could he have made the throw [to second base] that Hollins made [Tuesday] on that double play? I don’t know. And he has no experience at first base that I know of other than what he’s played up there. There are cutoff plays and bunt plays to learn.

“It’s a tough call because his arm is still an issue.”

Also complicating the problem is the resurgence of Hollins, who was moved to first after rookie third baseman Troy Glaus was recalled last week. Hollins, who had seven hits in 23 at-bats during the home stand, hit his 11th homer in the sixth inning Wednesday, doubled in the third and walked and scored in the first.

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Cleveland third baseman Travis Fryman, who played with Fielder in Detroit from 1990 to 1996, found it difficult to believe that the Angels would cut loose the veteran slugger.

“They did? Really?” Fryman asked when told Fielder had been designated for assignment. “They’re aren’t many guys who are better teammates than Cecil Fielder. A young team like the Angels surely could use a veteran leader like Cecil. It’s disappointing. I don’t think he’s done that poorly, has he?”

Informed that Fielder shares the team lead with 68 RBIs, Fryman said, “Well, then it doesn’t make much sense, does it? I know one thing. I’m sure there are plenty of contending teams that can use him for the playoff run. He’s still a force.”

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Right-hander Ken Hill pitched a simulated game against teammates before Wednesday’s game and felt no discomfort in his surgically repaired right elbow. He’s scheduled to begin a rehabilitation assignment Sunday with Class-A Cedar Rapids. Despite their obvious need for starting pitching, the Angels plan to err on the side of caution during Hill’s recovery. “Sure, I’m antsy to get back, but I’m fine with that,” he said. “When I do come back, I want to make sure I’m ready.”