Figgins isn’t hitting (or worried) yet
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Thirty-two at-bats don’t constitute a large enough sample size to generate any concern for Chone Figgins.
The Angels third baseman is playing well defensively, he likes his approach at the plate, and if he hasn’t produced as many hits as he’d have liked so far, he’s not fretting about it.
“I’m actually having some good at-bats,” said Figgins, who sat out all but one game in April because of two broken fingers on his throwing hand. “I’ve hit some balls good. I went deep in some counts and haven’t walked or found holes.”
Figgins is hitting .094 with two doubles and three runs batted in in nine games after going 0 for 3 against the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday night. He also had five strikeouts, one walk and no stolen bases -- not exactly the kind of production the Angels are seeking.
“When a guy gets back into a major league environment, no matter how many minor league at-bats you’ve had, there are some things you need to work through, and he’s going through that right now,” Manager Mike Scioscia said.
Figgins said his struggles were not a result of an insufficient minor league rehabilitation assignment or any lingering pain in his fingers.
“The doctor said it’s going to be sore,” Figgins said of the index and middle fingers on his right hand. “He said you’re just going to have play through it. But it feels good enough to play, for me to go out there and compete at a high level.”
Figgins has been fine defensively, committing only one error. His offense has been another story. Has hitting coach Mickey Hatcher offered any suggestions?
“I haven’t had that many at-bats to be talking about anything yet,” Figgins said.
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Matt Brown initially thought he was in the manager’s doghouse when he was pulled in the seventh inning Tuesday night of a Pacific Coast League game involving Salt Lake and Tacoma.
Brian Harper, the Salt Lake manager, told the infielder that he had come out of the game because of a poor secondary lead off second base. Then Harper added, “But when you’re taking batting practice in Anaheim tomorrow, you can work on that.”
Brown, 24, had hit .300 with three homers and 22 RBIs in 30 games with the Bees while primarily playing second base so that top prospect Brandon Wood could play third base. The Angels optioned Wood back to Salt Lake on Tuesday so that he could play every day.
Faced with the same quandary -- being a reserve in Anaheim or playing regularly in Salt Lake -- Brown didn’t hesitate to offer his preference.
“I think everybody wants to be in the big leagues,” he said. “That’s where it’s at.”
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Scioscia said reliever Justin Speier, who went on the disabled list Tuesday because of a non-baseball-related medical condition, probably would not rejoin the Angels for a couple of days.... Second baseman Howie Kendrick, sidelined since last month because of a broken finger, took batting practice for the first time. Outfielder Garret Anderson, recovering from a torn tendon in his right hip, ran in the outfield and took batting practice.
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