Guerrero Has OK to Start Getting in the Swing

Vladimir Guerrero wore a look of relief as he sank into the leather couch in the visitors’ clubhouse here Monday.

“Es mejor,” he said. It’s better.

The reigning American League most valuable player, on the disabled list since May 21 because of a slight dislocation of his left shoulder, had just finished swinging a bat for the first time since he was injured in an awkward headfirst slide into home plate against the Dodgers. Guerrero took two sets of 20 soft-toss swings with hitting coach Mickey Hatcher and said he felt fine.

He had been cleared to begin a hitting program by the Atlanta Braves’ senior orthopedic consultant, Joe Chandler, earlier in the day.

“I’ve been saying that I’ve been feeling good but to have the doctor confirm it feels even better,” Guerrero said.

“I’ve been following the trainer’s program the whole time.”

Guerrero was eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list Sunday but Manager Mike Scioscia said the “best-case” scenario would have Guerrero returning this weekend in New York, where the Angels play the Mets in a three-game series.

Scioscia also said his right fielder would take batting practice today at Turner Field.

“We’ll evaluate him as he progresses,” Scioscia said. “We’re not going to jump the gun.”

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Scioscia said he hoped to get Kelvim Escobar’s pitch count near 100 when he starts Wednesday. The right-hander threw 94 pitches Friday at Boston.

“I don’t know if he’ll go from 94 to 125 but ... hopefully he’ll go a little deeper in the game.”