McPherson is closer to returning

Dallas McPherson has been cleared to begin running on a treadmill today, a fitting metaphor for a player who has mostly been jogging in place for the last three years.

The Angels infielder was limited to 61 games in 2005 because of back spasms and inflammation in his left hip. A year later, he spent more time with triple-A Salt Lake than the Angels after experiencing more back spasms.

And he has yet to play this season after undergoing surgery in January to have a herniated disk removed and bone spurs shaved in his back.

The player who hit 40 homers in the minors in 2004 and was considered one of the Angels’ top prospects almost seems like an afterthought in the organization’s plans.

“Have they forgotten me? I don’t think so,” McPherson said in a telephone interview Tuesday from Arizona, where he is conducting his rehabilitation. “Why else would they hold onto me? I just have to concentrate to getting healthy and 100% and getting back on the field.

“Hopefully, they still have plans for me. I hope they do.”

McPherson, who had initially targeted a return by late July or early August, said he could take batting practice and field ground balls in about a month.

“There’s definitely a good chance I could be on the field this year,” said McPherson, noting that the sharp pain he had felt in his back before the surgery had disappeared. “I’m holding out a lot of hope for that.”

While acknowledging that it can be tough to stay positive amid the incessant injuries, McPherson said baseball is rife with stories of players who overcame setbacks in spectacular fashion. He cited David Ortiz, who became an All-Star with Boston after being released by Minnesota; David Eckstein, who won World Series titles with the Angels and St. Louis after being released by Boston; and J.J. Hardy, the shortstop who is finally blossoming in his third season with Milwaukee.

“Every time you sit there and say, ‘I’m a bust, I keep getting hurt,’ you can find other guys who have had success after having problems,” said McPherson, 26, who has hit .247 with 18 homers and 45 runs batted in during parts of three seasons with the Angels. “I just have to stay positive.”

*

Manager Mike Scioscia moved Reggie Willits from the leadoff spot to No. 8 in the batting order for the first time this season, saying the left fielder was “grinding a little bit” after his average dipped from .336 on June 1 to .311 entering play Tuesday. Chone Figgins batted leadoff.

Willits could find himself back on the bench if Garret Anderson, who aggravated his right hip Sunday and was limited to pinch-hitting duties Tuesday, returns tonight as expected. Willits went two for three with a walk during the Angels’ 5-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

*

Even though he suffered a setback Tuesday when he did not play for Salt Lake because of flu-like symptoms, infielder Maicer Izturis could rejoin the Angels on Friday at Dodger Stadium when they open the Freeway Series, Scioscia said. Izturis, who has been on the disabled list since May 21 because of an irritated right hamstring, hit .353 with a double and two walks in the first four games of his rehabilitation assignment.... Jered Weaver said the tightness in his lower back he experienced Sunday had subsided after he visited a chiropractor, and he remained on track to make his next start Saturday against the Dodgers.... Juan Rivera, recovering from a broken left leg, has resumed hitting soft toss and off a tee. He could take batting practice as soon as next week.

--

ben.bolch@latimes.com