Vlad ready to return Friday
By Joe Haakenson, Staff Writer
ATLANTA -- Provided he has no setbacks before arriving at Shea Stadium, Vladimir Guerrero will likely be activated from the disabled list and in the starting lineup Friday night when the Angels begin a three-game series against the Mets.
Guerrero, who suffered a partial separation of his left shoulder May 20, took early batting practice Wednesday and "killed the ball," according to manager Mike Scioscia.
"His swing was great, his bat speed was great," Scioscia said. "He took an aggressive BP, he's doing everything in the outfield and he looks good. His running, his legs feel very, very good. Everything points to him being very close."
Guerrero has been itching to get back into the lineup, but the Angels' medical staff has been cautious.
"He was bugging us last week, saying he had to start swinging if he's going to come off (when he was eligible June 5)," Scioscia said. "We told him he needed another week."
In Guerrero's absence, the Angels have gone 10-8.
Give him a break: Shortstop Orlando Cabrera was not thrilled to see that his name wasn't in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game, getting a day off to rest after having started all 58 games before Wednesday.
Scioscia said it was a chance to get him off his feet for two days in a row when combined with today's off day. Cabrera played in all 162 games in both 2001 and 2003 with the Expos, and last season he played in 161 games combined with the Expos and Red Sox.
Cabrera got into the game in the seventh inning Wednesday, so it's possible he can play in all 162 this year.
Cabrera has been among the best defensive shortstops in the league this season but has struggled offensively, hitting .240 with three homers and 16 RBIs. By comparison, ex-Angels shortstop David Eckstein has struggled defensively at times for the Cardinals but is hitting .315 with two homers and 19 RBIs.
Chone Figgins started at shortstop Wednesday.
Izturis update: Infielder Macier Izturis is playing on a rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Salt Lake, and once he gets enough at-bats will become a part of the Angels' bench. Izturis has been on the disabled list since April 24 with a sprained knee.
His ability to play shortstop makes him a vital part of the bench because it allows Scioscia to use Figgins' versatility in the field.
"It's an important package because it gives us freedom to do things with Figgy and do things within a game to get matchups," Scioscia said.
They're off: The Angels are off today before beginning a three-game series at Shea Stadium in New York against the Mets on Friday.
By Joe Haakenson, Staff Writer
ATLANTA -- Provided he has no setbacks before arriving at Shea Stadium, Vladimir Guerrero will likely be activated from the disabled list and in the starting lineup Friday night when the Angels begin a three-game series against the Mets.
Guerrero, who suffered a partial separation of his left shoulder May 20, took early batting practice Wednesday and "killed the ball," according to manager Mike Scioscia.
"His swing was great, his bat speed was great," Scioscia said. "He took an aggressive BP, he's doing everything in the outfield and he looks good. His running, his legs feel very, very good. Everything points to him being very close."
Guerrero has been itching to get back into the lineup, but the Angels' medical staff has been cautious.
"He was bugging us last week, saying he had to start swinging if he's going to come off (when he was eligible June 5)," Scioscia said. "We told him he needed another week."
In Guerrero's absence, the Angels have gone 10-8.
Give him a break: Shortstop Orlando Cabrera was not thrilled to see that his name wasn't in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game, getting a day off to rest after having started all 58 games before Wednesday.
Scioscia said it was a chance to get him off his feet for two days in a row when combined with today's off day. Cabrera played in all 162 games in both 2001 and 2003 with the Expos, and last season he played in 161 games combined with the Expos and Red Sox.
Cabrera got into the game in the seventh inning Wednesday, so it's possible he can play in all 162 this year.
Cabrera has been among the best defensive shortstops in the league this season but has struggled offensively, hitting .240 with three homers and 16 RBIs. By comparison, ex-Angels shortstop David Eckstein has struggled defensively at times for the Cardinals but is hitting .315 with two homers and 19 RBIs.
Chone Figgins started at shortstop Wednesday.
Izturis update: Infielder Macier Izturis is playing on a rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Salt Lake, and once he gets enough at-bats will become a part of the Angels' bench. Izturis has been on the disabled list since April 24 with a sprained knee.
His ability to play shortstop makes him a vital part of the bench because it allows Scioscia to use Figgins' versatility in the field.
"It's an important package because it gives us freedom to do things with Figgy and do things within a game to get matchups," Scioscia said.
They're off: The Angels are off today before beginning a three-game series at Shea Stadium in New York against the Mets on Friday.
