Molina Must Not Train in Vain

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The most pained expression worn by any Angel last season was the one worn by catcher Bengie Molina in July -- not from physical pain on the day he strained his hamstring, but from mental anguish the next day. For the second consecutive season, he had suffered a hamstring injury that put him onto the disabled list in the heat of a division race.

“It’s ... embarrassing,” Molina said that day. “I’m ... letting the team down. I can’t even pick up my head. I can’t look anybody in the face.”

In the hope of preventing another such injury, Molina said Friday that he hired a personal trainer for the first time this winter. The trainer emphasized a new exercise routine and discussed nutritional strategies, Molina said.

The winter was not an entirely happy one for the Gold Glove catcher -- he buried his grandfather in Puerto Rico -- but a pick-me-up was as easy as seeing the World Series highlight video.

“I think I watched the video, easily, 20 times,” he said. “I kept getting chills and goose bumps.”

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While Manager Mike Scioscia said the Angels can expect a “confidence carry-over” from their World Series victory, he is not concerned that the team will lose any hunger. “That aspect of motivation is almost self-perpetuating on this team,” he said.

Scioscia does not plan to use championship metaphors when he addresses the full squad next week.

“We’re not taking the angle of being on top of the mountain,” he said. “We’re taking the angle of being back at the bottom of the ladder. You want to climb every rung with the same focus and intensity you used last year.”

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Scioscia said that starter Aaron Sele, four months removed from shoulder surgery, is not ready to throw off a mound but is expected to be ready for the start of the season.... Rookie star Francisco Rodriguez missed his flight here Friday when political protest near his Venezuela made travel to the airport problematic.... Starter Ramon Ortiz is not expected to report until Wednesday because of delays issuing visas in the Dominican Republic.