Angels’ Kendrys Morales gets needed day off

The Cincinnati Reds called the Angels on Tuesday afternoon and told them pitcher Bronson Arroyo wanted to hit Wednesday, eliminating the designated hitter from an exhibition game against the Angels in Goodyear Ballpark.

That took three or four at-bats in a major league game away from Angels slugger Kendrys Morales, who was planning to DH against the Reds, but it was probably for the best.

After collecting two hits in four at-bats of a triple-A game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday, Morales, who is poised to return this season after missing almost two years because of a broken left ankle, said through a translator that he was “tired, I need a day off.” He will not play in a minor league game.

Morales’ swing appears to be in great shape -- he has eight hits, including a home run, in his first 13 at-bats this spring -- but the switch-hitter is not yet in baseball shape, which could require more off days in the first few weeks of the season.

The 6-foot-1 Morales weighs 240 pounds, about eight more than his goal playing weight of 232, and while he hasn’t felt soreness in his ankle, he has felt fatigued after playing for two or three days in a row.

“For what I’m going to do, I feel all right,” said Morales, a first baseman who will be relegated to DH. “I’ll get into better shape with time.”

And later game times. Morales thinks the regular season, when most games are at night, will be more conducive to him playing in longer stretches of consecutive games.

“It’s going to be easier during the season because I can rest in the morning,” Morales said. “Here, we’re up at 6 a.m. every day and have 1 p.m. games. At night, you feel a little fresher.”

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Angels’ Kendrys Morales gets needed day off