Greene May Switch His Position

Todd Greene has been a work in progress for five years, going to instructional league to learn how to catch in 1993, taking a pitching machine home with him one winter to work on blocking balls in the dirt, spending countless hours discussing the art of game-calling with pitchers and coaches.

But just when Greene was on the verge of going from the Angels’ catcher-in-training to a big league force behind the plate, his future has been thrown in doubt by a shoulder injury that refuses to cooperate with his master plan.

Greene, who underwent surgery to repair a slight shoulder tear last October, suffered another setback at triple-A Vancouver Saturday night, and he seems resigned to the very likely possibility that he may never become a full-time catcher in the major leagues.

“I’ve worked so hard to become a catcher that to have my catching career cut short would really stink,” Greene said by phone from Vancouver Monday. “That’s the frustrating part of all this. And I’m not just feeling sorry for myself. A lot of people put a lot of time and hard work into me being a catcher.”

Greene said he may consider a switch to first base or left field, the position he played in college. His bat is lethal, and his shoulder doesn’t bother him to hit, but with Tim Salmon limited to the designated hitter role because of a foot injury, Greene wouldn’t have that option this season in Anaheim. He has not ruled out becoming a part-time catcher.

“I think I can catch again in the big leagues, but definitely not on an every-day basis this year,” Greene said. “If I can make it through this year, have arthroscopic surgery after the season and six solid months of rehabilitation, I should be fine.”

One option Greene will not consider: Shoulder reconstruction surgery, which would sideline him for up to two years. “That, I’m not going to do,” Greene said. “I would rather play another position that would put less stress on my arm.”

Greene had to come out of Saturday night’s game after making three throws to second base in the seventh inning. Because his shoulder capsule is loose, it is very susceptible to soreness and inflammation. He will attempt to catch again in Vancouver either today or Wednesday and plans to return to Anaheim Wednesday night to be reevaluated.

“I can play catch fine, I just can’t make a hard throw,” Greene said. “I’m making good throws on a straight line, it’s just a slow line. I’m always going to have discomfort, so I’m going to try to alter my mechanics to see if I can make it more comfortable.”