Reduced role tough for Hillenbrand

Shea Hillenbrand knew this was coming, but the full weight of the news didn’t seem to hit him until Manager Mike Scioscia told him in a meeting Sunday that he would no longer be the team’s regular designated hitter.

“I’ve worked hard to be where I am, and this is a pretty big step backward for me personally,” said Hillenbrand, who is batting .241 with three home runs and 18 runs batted in. “But the welfare of the team comes first. I told Mike since day one ... that whatever role he wants to put me in, I’m here.”

The question is, how will Hillenbrand feel after a few weeks of little playing time? After this series against Minnesota, the Angels play nine games in National League parks, with no DH, so Hillenbrand’s best shot at playing will be at first base against left-handers. With leadoff batter Reggie Willits, Vladimir Guerrero and Garret Anderson rotating through the corner outfield and DH spots, Hillenbrand’s only chance of playing, even when the Angels resume American League play, will be occasionally at first and possibly at third.

Asked if he’ll be OK with a reduced role, Hillenbrand said, “I’m not going to answer that.” He didn’t have to. He was a regular for six big league seasons, “and everybody wants to play every day,” he said, “all 25 guys.”

Some accept reserve roles. Some grumble and become distractions. Hillenbrand has clashed with previous managers over playing time, “but out of respect for Mike as a manager, he’s kept me informed, and that’s all you can ask,” Hillenbrand said.

Will Hillenbrand, who signed for $6.5 million after DH/outfielder Juan Rivera broke his leg in late December, keep his positive outlook?

“Who knows?” he said. “If you bring a bad attitude to the park every day, they’ll just replace you with someone else. For all I know, I could be traded tomorrow, or designated for assignment, or something could happen in tonight’s game. You can’t control that. You’ve just got to come every day and face it as if it’s your last day.”

Hillenbrand, who had key hits in three weekend wins over Baltimore, thinks the transition to DH contributed to his struggles.

“I’ve never been an everyday DH,” he said. “I’m not the type to make excuses, but it’s different, something I’m not used to.... I’m extremely competitive, and when you don’t play the field, it’s hard to get into the rhythm of the game, you don’t feel like you’re contributing.”

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Justin Speier called it “a minor setback,” but it put a crimp in his comeback from an intestinal infection. The reliever, out since April 30, was supposed to throw Saturday and Sunday for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, but after throwing 1 2/3 innings Saturday, he wasn’t well enough to pitch Sunday.

“I didn’t get much sleep, and I was feeling nauseous,” said Speier, who has battled those symptoms for two months. “I’m not trying to read too much into it. I feel better today.”

Speier threw a simulated inning Monday and will try to pitch at Rancho Cucamonga again Wednesday.

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The Angels might push Bartolo Colon’s next start from Friday to Sunday if he hasn’t recovered from the triceps tendinitis that prevented him from pitching Saturday against Baltimore. With Thursday’s off day, Ervin Santana and Jered Weaver could pitch Friday and Saturday.

mike.digiovanna@latimes.com