Vladimir Guerrero’s season with Rangers may earn him a trip to Anaheim
Reporting from Arlington, Texas -- Vladimir Guerrero could be coming back to Anaheim to play for the home team.
The Texas designated hitter ranks among the American League leaders in batting average (.340), hits (49) and runs batted in (31), potentially putting him on track for selection to the All-Star game July 13 at Angel Stadium.
“I played six years there,” Guerrero said through an interpreter Monday, “so it would be a nice place to play.”
Guerrero was wearing red again in his first regular-season game against the Angels since he signed a one-year, $6.5-million deal with Texas, if only because the Rangers occasionally dress in that color at home. But he wasn’t seeing red over the Angels’ failure to offer him a contract, reiterating that there were no hard feelings.
“I’m here and I have to play for the Rangers and I’m glad to be here,” said Guerrero, who went two for four against his former team in Texas’ 4-3 victory.
The Rangers are certainly glad to have the slugger who looks more svelte than he did in his final, injury-plagued season with the Angels. Guerrero has continued to thrive at the Ballpark in Arlington, where he is hitting .402 with six of his seven homers and 19 of his 31 RBIs for the division leaders.
“We wouldn’t be where we are right now if it wasn’t for big daddy Vlad,” said reliever Darren Oliver, who also came over to Texas from the Angels this season. “I’m glad he’s on my team.”
After batting practice was canceled following a heavy downpour, Guerrero chatted with his former teammates in a tunnel beneath the stadium. The former AL most valuable player apparently doesn’t have much to say to the multitude of teams that refused to offer him a multiyear deal.
“I always feel I’ve done my job my whole career,” he said, “so I don’t have to show anything to anybody.”
They miss him too
Guerrero isn’t the only Ranger whose production the Angels have struggled to replace.
Their middle relief has been in tatters without Oliver, who has a 1.74 earned-run average and one save in 19 appearances this season after throwing two perfect innings against the Angels.
“He’s a guy that has left some footprints in our bullpen that we’re trying to fill,” Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said of the left-hander who went 15-3 with a 3.09 ERA over the previous three seasons.
Even though his clubhouse locker is next to former Angels teammate Guerrero’s, Oliver said returning to the team he began his major league career with in 1993 has been an adjustment.
“It’s always tough when you come to a new team, trying to get to know everybody again, get to know their nicknames,” he said. “But it always helps when you’re winning, and we’re doing that over here.”
Short hops
Utility infielder Maicer Izturis, recovering from inflammation in his right shoulder, resumed throwing and ran the bases but might not be ready to return when he is eligible to come off the disabled list Friday, Scioscia said. The manager said he did not anticipate Izturis needing more than a few extra days before rejoining the team.… Catcher Jeff Mathis has started throwing in his return from a broken right wrist but remains several weeks away from playing.
Clicking on Green Links will take you to a third-party e-commerce site. These sites are not operated by the Los Angeles Times. The Times Editorial staff is not involved in any way with Green Links or with these third-party sites.
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
