Angels put Maicer Izturis on DL
The Angels put sore-armed shortstop Maicer Izturis on the disabled list Saturday because of shoulder inflammation but they may not have a clear idea how long he’ll be there until they return home Monday.
“Preliminary reports are that it’s going to take a little bit of time to calm down,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “He just needs to take a step back right now.”
Izturis, who is hitting .256 in 39 at-bats, aggravated his right shoulder diving for a ball last week. An MRI exam was done Friday and the Angels said Lewis Yocum, the team’s medical director, will examine Izturis’ shoulder Monday.
Former San Francisco Giants infielder Kevin Frandsen was called up from triple-A Salt Lake to take Izturis’ place on the roster and was immediately inserted into the lineup, getting singles in his first three at-bats and making a sparkling defensive play at third base.
Shouldering the blame
Izturis isn’t the only Angel complaining of a bum shoulder. Right-hander Matt Palmer, optioned to the minors Friday, will reportedly have his shoulder examined as well.
An Angel spokesman declined to discuss Palmer’s status, saying only that the pitcher had until Monday to report to Salt Lake.
Palmer, an 11-game winner last season, has given up 18 runs, 31 hits and 16 walks in 23 innings this season.
Supporting the cause
Outfielder Reggie Willits and second baseman Howie Kendrick will be among the players wearing pink batting gloves and wristbands and swinging pink bats Sunday to raise funds and awareness for the fight against cancer.
“It’s a ruthless disease,” Willits, who befriended a young boy who died of cancer last year.
The disease is an even more personal for Kendrick, who says his grandmother died of cancer.
The pink bats, which baseball trots out every Mother’s Day, haven’t always been to Kendrick’s and Willits’ liking. In Kendrick’s case, he generally swings ash and in the past the pink bats have been made from maple. And in Willits’ case, he says the extra coat of paint makes them heavier.
“I’ll support the cause the best I can,” Willits said. “I’ve had years where [the bat] felt really good. And other years were … I just couldn’t swing it.”
Eight other Angels also had a box of pink bats waiting for them when they arrived in Seattle on Friday, but not everyone has committed to using them. Those that are used will be auctioned off at MLB.com with the proceeds going to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s largest breast cancer organization.
Baseball organizes a similar campaign on Father’s Day to support the battle against prostate cancer.
Best Budde
Catcher Ryan Budde hit his first big league home run Friday, but that wasn’t the biggest contribution he made, said pitcher Jered Weaver, who took a no-hitter into the seventh inning in his first start with Budde behind the plate.
“He calls a great game. That’s one of his qualities,” said Weaver, who said he shook off the pitch Budde called only two or three times Friday.
“Pretty much what he called, I threw,” he said. “I owe a lot to his game plan and the way he helped me execute pitches. It was fun working with him.”
Day of rest
Hideki Matsui, who began Saturday batting .103 on the trip, is likely to get Sunday off.
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