Vaughn Looks to Winter

Mo Vaughn has set his sights on playing again this year, but not for the Angels. The injured first baseman has targeted late November for a return and will probably play winter ball in the Dominican Republic.

“That will give me an opportunity to get in shape so I don’t go into spring training next year cold,” said Vaughn, who underwent season-ending surgery in February for a ruptured biceps tendon in his left arm. “It’s not definite, but that’s the plan.”

Vaughn wants to go to the Dominican Republic to work with Mike Easler, his former batting instructor in Boston. Easler, now the St. Louis Cardinal hitting coach, is expected to manage Los Pollos, a Dominican winter league team located in San Francisco de Macoris.

Vaughn, in the third year of a six-year, $80-million contract, began swinging a bat this month, and said he considered a return to the Angels in September.

“But to ensure I don’t do further damage to my arm, it’s best to take it slow and sit out this season,” Vaughn said. “It’s disappointing, but it’s an opportunity for me to get back in great shape so I can play both sides of the ball like I should.”