Anderson says there’s more to cover story

Don’t get Garret Anderson wrong -- he’s thrilled to have Gary Matthews Jr. in center field and described his new teammate as “not just a guy who can cover a lot of ground, but a really good outfielder -- people don’t realize you can have a guy who covers a lot of room and isn’t a good outfielder.”

But the Angels’ veteran left fielder also was somewhat offended by media reports framing the Matthews signing as one that would ease the burden on Anderson and right fielder Vladimir Guerrero.

“I’ve heard that several times this winter, and I don’t really know what it means,” Anderson said. “I don’t think I’ve been a liability out there, other than the fact I haven’t been able to play. I know I took a lot of heat last year because I played hurt. I should have just not played. I wouldn’t have taken any heat for that.”

An inflamed arch in his left foot hindered Anderson for most of 2006 and contributed to knee and lower-back problems. He was relegated to a career-high 45 games at designated hitter, but in 94 games in the outfield, Anderson didn’t commit an error.

What is impossible to determine is how many balls in the gap or down the line Anderson might have gotten to if he had been 100%.

Guerrero also dealt with health issues -- two achy knees affected his mobility and were a factor in his 11 errors, an American League high for outfielders. The Angels’ outfield was responsible for 23 of the team’s AL-high 122 errors.

“I can see why Garret would say that, because he takes a lot of pride in his defense,” Angels bench coach Ron Roenicke said. “Garret is a great defensive outfielder. In the last two years, he has not been healthy. With the foot and other things he’s had, he isn’t playing the way Garret, in his mind, knows he can play.

“But when Garret is healthy, he covers a lot of ground. He gets great jumps, and when he’s healthy, he can run. Once his foot problems cleared up last year, you saw a different Garret.”

Anderson said his foot finally healed in the final two weeks of last season, and though he’s being held out of some running drills as a precaution, he said the foot feels fine this spring.

Guerrero also benefited from a winter of rest, but even when sound, he’s not the most graceful or gifted of outfielders, except for his cannon-like arm. It is Guerrero, more than Anderson, who probably will benefit from Matthews’ presence.

“When you have a top center fielder, a guy like Torii Hunter or Matthews, you look at him and say, ‘Hey, that’s nice, the other guys don’t have to fly into the gaps to get everything,’ ” Roenicke said. “Gary covers a lot of ground and gets good jumps.”

Manager Mike Scioscia said he would funnel Anderson and Guerrero through the DH spot on a more regular basis in hopes of preventing injuries and keeping them fresh.

He wants to avoid that balancing act, when he must decide whether a slightly injured Guerrero or Anderson, the team’s Nos. 3 and 4 hitters, is more of an asset or liability on any given night.

“You have to look at the package a player brings, even with his little nicks,” Scioscia said. “I don’t think there’s a time when a guy has his whole game together, when he’s feeling 100%, moving 100%, his swing is there. Usually there’s a little nick that might affect you. But you can still put that bat on the ball.

“Maybe you’re not driving the ball like you want. Maybe you’re not throwing as crisp because of a sore arm. There are things that come up with any players. Garret played with his share of things last year, and I think he performed well with them, particularly toward the end.”

mike.digiovanna@latimes.com