Maicer Izturis Settles In at Third

The Angels won the World Series with Troy Glaus, the prototypical slugging third baseman. In their scramble for a third consecutive American League West division championship, their new third baseman is Maicer Izturis.

Izturis has no home runs this season. In 369 at-bats in his career, he has two.

“We won a division with [Chone] Figgins as our third baseman,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “You have to look at how the pieces fit. Right now, Izzy fits as an everyday third baseman.”

The Angels started the season with Figgins at third, then moved him to center field to replace the injured Darin Erstad. With the power-hitting Dallas McPherson injured, Izturis is third in line at third base.

“I’m still learning how to play third base,” said Izturis, a shortstop by trade.

Scioscia described Izturis as “a premium defensive player” and said the Angels want Figgins to focus on center field for now. Izturis had three hits Tuesday, and he and Orlando Cabrera are the only Angels with more walks than strikeouts.

The Angels do not expect McPherson to return until after the All-Star break, his fledgling career interrupted by a back injury for the second consecutive season. The Angels promised him third base as the successor to Glaus, but they do not appear inclined to offer another such promise until he completes a season free of injury.

“That’s the real test,” Scioscia said, “not feeling good for 30-40 days, [but] feeling good for 140-150 days.”

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The Angels appear to have little leverage in trading Jeff Weaver, since they must release him at week’s end if they do not trade him by then. But, with starting pitching at a premium, General Manager Bill Stoneman still hopes to generate enough interest to get a significant player in return, even if the Angels have to pay much of the $4 million left on Weaver’s contract.

The Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers all are thought to have some interest. The Cincinnati Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks could consider Weaver too.

Before the Angels designated Weaver for assignment last week, Stoneman asked the Mets for prized outfield prospect Lastings Milledge, baseball sources said. The Mets would consider trading Milledge for a top starter but not an innings-eater like Weaver, sources said.

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Jered Weaver has won the first five starts of his career. Since the adoption of the designated hitter in 1973, the only other American League pitcher to do so was Ben McDonald, for the 1990 Baltimore Orioles, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.