Kendrys Morales returns to Angels lineup

Tempe, Ariz. — For the first time in almost two years, Angels Manager Mike Scioscia on Thursday wrote Kendrys Morales’ name in a major league lineup.

The slugger, who has not played for the Angels since breaking his left ankle while jumping onto home plate in celebration of a walk-off home run May 29, 2010, will start at designated hitter and bat sixth against the Kansas City Royals in Tempe Diablo Stadium.

“It’s nice,” Scioscia said. “Guys are excited. He’s one of those players a lot of guys on the team rally around. But we’ll be excited if he’s in the lineup April 6.”

Scioscia acknowledged that “there are still some hurdles” Morales will have to clear to open the regular season as the Angels’ DH, namely, whether he’ll have the stamina to play for five or six straight days and if he’ll respond well to running the bases and sliding.

But the Angels liked what they saw in the 12 at-bats Morales got in minor league games leading up to Thursday’s start. If Morales can regain his 2009 form, when he hit .306 with 34 home runs and 108 runs batted in, the Angels could have one of their most prolific offenses ever.

“Yeah, he’s got to get used to velocity and the spin on the ball, but he put some good swings on some pitches and laid off some pitches,” Scioscia said. “The least of our concerns is, is he going to hit? It’s more the stamina aspect.”

The Angels lineup: SS Erick Aybar, 2B Howie Kendrick, 1B Albert Pujols, RF Torii Hunter, CF Vernon Wells, DH Kendrys Morales, LF Bobby Abreu, 3B Alberto Callaspo, C Chris Iannetta, P Jered Weaver.

The Royals lineup: LF Alex Gordon, 2B Johnny Giovatella, 1B Eric Hosmer, DH Max Ramirez, RF Mitch Maier, 3B Yuniesky Betancourt, CF Lorenzo Cain, C Bryan Pena, SS Alcides Escobar, P Danny Duffy.

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Kendrys Morales returns to Angels lineup