First Base Becomes Land of Opportunity

Neither Angel Manager Mike Scioscia nor anyone on the team’s coaching staff has said anything to him directly, but Jamie Burke is well aware of the opportunity. First baseman Shawn Wooten is out, possibly for four months, because of a thumb injury he suffered Wednesday and the Angels are hoping that one or several players will seize the chance to fill the void.

“It’s an unfortunate way to create opportunities--but it does,” Scioscia said Friday.

Benji Gil probably will get most of the at-bats the right-handed-hitting Wooten would have received. But the versatile Burke and Jose Nieves, Jeff DaVanon and Clay Bellinger are in the mix and battling for a roster spot.

Like Wooten, Burke can play first base, third base and catcher. He hit a solo home run to left field in his only at-bat Friday against the Chicago White Sox and is batting .333 (six for 18) with four runs batted in. “Playing the same positions as Wooten might open some things up, but I don’t look at it that way,” said Burke, who played the last two innings at third base in the Angels’ 12-5 exhibition victory. “No one is going to hand me or anyone else anything. I have to go out, play hard and try to earn a spot.”

Burke, 30, was selected in the ninth round of the 1993 draft out of Oregon State. He twice batted better than .300 at double-A Midland and was hitting .336 in 149 at-bats at triple-A Edmonton in 1999 when he injured his left elbow and underwent surgery. He hit .240 in 2000 at Edmonton and .219 last season in triple-A at Salt Lake City.

“He’s a good contact hitter and he uses all fields,” Scioscia said. “He hasn’t got the opportunity to really get his feet on the ground in the major leagues, but he’s got the makeup and the talent.”

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Second baseman Adam Kennedy hit a grand slam and drove in six runs. Kennedy’s home run to right against Matt Guerrier was his first of the spring. He has 11 hits in 26 at-bats.... Left-hander Scott Schoeneweis gave up three runs and seven hits in four innings.... Third baseman Troy Glaus, who strained a stomach muscle Thursday while batting against the Colorado Rockies, was not scheduled to make the trip. He is listed as day to day.