First Base Is Up for Grabs

The Angels are well into the second half of the season and still in flux at first base. They’re platooning Kendry Morales and Robb Quinlan for now, and they might give Dallas McPherson a shot soon. They’re not counting on Casey Kotchman coming back this season, and they can get Shea Hillenbrand cheaply, if they want him.

The Toronto Blue Jays designated Hillenbrand for assignment Wednesday, giving them 10 days to trade or release him. Hillenbrand demanded a trade during a pregame diatribe in which he criticized the Blue Jays’ management. He refused to join the team in the dugout during Wednesday’s game, according to the Toronto Star, and Manager John Gibbons went into the clubhouse to inform Hillenbrand he was being designated.

Hillenbrand is hitting .301 with 12 home runs, including .337 with four home runs in 83 at-bats against right-handers. In May, the Angels discussed trading second baseman Adam Kennedy to Toronto for Hillenbrand, and they since have promoted second base prospect Howie Kendrick.

General Manager Bill Stoneman would not say whether he had spoken with the Blue Jays on Wednesday or whether Hillenbrand would qualify as the “impact guy” the Angels seek, but he did say no trade was imminent. Toronto General Manager J.P. Ricciardi told Fox Sports he was trying to acquire a pitcher, not an infielder.

As McPherson continues his minor league rehabilitation assignment, the Angels have moved him from third base to first. He could return within a week and give the Angels another option against right-handers, at either position or at designated hitter.

In 97 at-bats against right-handers this season, he is hitting .278 with five home runs.

Kotchman, who opened the season as the first baseman, remains on the disabled list because of mononucleosis and recently halted a rehabilitation assignment when he experienced dizziness.

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To Vladimir Guerrero, “kryptonite” translates to “Wickman.”

That would be Bob Wickman, the Cleveland Indians’ closer with the less-than-overpowering fastball. Guerrero, the seven-time All-Star with a career .324 average, never has gotten a hit against Wickman. After striking out to end Wednesday’s game, representing the tying run, Guerrero was 0 for 11 against him.

Wickman said he had no idea why he can get Guerrero out consistently when almost no one else can.

“He has a lot of movement on his pitches,” Angels hitting coach Mickey Hatcher said. “With two strikes, he’s good at bouncing balls off the plate and making them look like fastballs, like the last one [Guerrero] chased.”

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Although the Ducks agreed Wednesday to call their arena the Honda Center, Angels President Dennis Kuhl said there were no plans to sell naming rights to Angel Stadium. ... Jered Weaver, who sat out his last start because of tendinitis, is expected to start Sunday. ... Manager Mike Scioscia said the latest examination of outfielder Darin Erstad’s injured ankle revealed “nothing new” but said surgery “didn’t come up” in the medical report to the team.