ANGELS - DODGERS NOTEBOOK: ANGELS' IZTURIS IMPRESSES.

Byline: Joe Haakenson and Tony Jackson  Staff Writers

ANAHEIM - Infielder Maicer Izturis made quite an impression on his new team in spring training, so much so that he was named the winner of the Fred Haney award, given to the club's top rookie during camp.

It seems Izturis, 24, will make the opening day roster, but only because a spot was opened up by the back injury to Dallas McPherson. Once McPherson returns by mid-April, the Angels might not have room for Izturis in the majors.

Still, Izturis, who was acquired from the Washington Nationals in the trade for Jose Guillen, is pleased with what he was able to show his new teammates this spring.

Going into Friday's Freeway Series game against the Dodgers, Izturis led the team with 16 runs scored and was second with 14 RBIs while batting .339.

``You have to show what you are capable of doing, and do it every day,'' said Izturis, the half brother of Dodgers shortstop Cesar Izturis. ``Coming to a new team, I have to prove myself.''

--Kennedy improving: Second baseman Adam Kennedy (Cal State Northridge) continues to make rapid progress in his recovery from surgery on his right knee. Kennedy worked out with the team Friday in Anaheim and said he's doing all baseball-related activities at 100 percent.

However, Kennedy said there are no plans to rush him back, and that it's not likely he'll be with the big-league club before the end of April.

``I'm pretty happy with the plan they have set up for me,'' said Kennedy, who had surgery on the knee Oct. 15. ``I know they're being a little cautious but at the same time they're allowing me to push it.''

--Penny shelved: The Dodgers officially placed Brad Penny on the 15-day disabled list and recalled outfielder Cody Ross, a move they had to make simply so Ross could play in the Freeway Series because he is a 40-man roster player. Ross will be optioned back to Las Vegas sometime this weekend.

--Minor trades: The Dodgers acquired right-hander Pat Mahomes, an 11-year major-league veteran, from the New York Mets for a player to be named. Mahomes, who last pitched in the big leagues with Pittsburgh in 2003, will be assigned to Triple-A Las Vegas as insurance.

The Dodgers also traded minor-league infielder Brett Dowdy to San Diego for minor-league center fielder Todd Donovan, who batted .299 with the Padres' Double-A Mobile, Ala., affiliate last season.

--Repko will sit: Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said veteran Ricky Ledee will start in left field in Tuesday's season opener at San Francisco because he doesn't want rookie Jason Repko to have to face Giants ace Jason Schmidt in Repko's major-league debut.

--Rule 5: General manager Paul DePodesta said he has declined an offer from Philadelphia to return outfielder Shane Victorino, whom the Phillies claimed in last December's Rule 5 draft.

The Colorado Rockies also have offered left-hander Matt Merricks back, but there is a dispute over whether Merricks has fully recovered from the shoulder tendinitis that limited him to one Cactus League appearance.