ANGELS NOTEBOOK: ERSTAD LIKES ROOKIE.Byline: DOUG PADILLA Douglas ("Doug") Padilla (born October 4, 1956 in Oakland, California) is a former middle and long distance runner from the United States, who won the overall Grand Prix 1985 and the World Cup 5000m race in 1985. Staff Writer ANAHEIM -- The last Angels player to reinvent himself at first base likes what he sees in the most current project, Howie Kendrick Howard Joseph (Howie) Kendrick (born July 12, 1983 in Jacksonville, Florida) is an American Major League Baseball second baseman for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He bats and throws right-handed. Kendrick Attended West Nassau High School where he played baseball. . Darin Erstad Darin Charles Erstad (born June 4, 1974 in Jamestown, North Dakota) is a first baseman/center fielder in Major League Baseball currently with the Chicago White Sox. Prior to 2007, he had played his entire career with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim franchise (1996-2006). had the entire 1997 spring training to learn the infield and took over the spot with the Angels that season, as he made an Opening Day roster for the first time. Kendrick, on the other hand, is not only in the major leagues for the first time, he was moved to first base for the first time on any level as the Angels look to get some offense out of the position. ``He didn't even get to practice, they just threw him in there,'' Erstad said. ``To be in the middle of a playoff chase, to be playing a new position and to be hitting like he's doing, he's doing a heck of a job. ``He's going to be just fine over there. He's a heck of an athlete. You have to go through some things, see new stuff and he'll make the adjustment.'' Kendrick has not disappointed with his bat. He was batting .338 before Thursday's game and was batting .458 (22 for 48) on a 12-game hitting streak In baseball, a hitting streak refers to the consecutive number of official games in which a player gets at least one base hit. Games in which a player does not have any official at bats due to walks, or sacrifice bunts, or being hit by a pitch, are ignored (neither break the streak . The Angels' entire infield is now made up of middle infielders, with Maicer Izturis Maicer Izturis (IPA pronunciation: [maɪsɛr ɪs'turɪs]) (born September 12, 1980 in Barquisimeto, Lara State, Venezuela) is a Major League Baseball infielder who plays for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. playing at third. Kendrick has been shaky at times and serviceable at others. He booted a grounder for a two-base error Wednesday, lost track of a runner heading to the plate and didn't take charge on a popup on the infield that catcher Jose Molina could not handle. ``The kid is willing to learn everything,'' Erstad said. ``He's been put in a tough spot but he's doing a great job. It's not easy to do that.'' Still sidelined: Bartolo Colon still has not thrown a ball since pitching one inning July 26 at Tampa Bay, and his chances of starting next Friday at New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of are dwindling dwin·dle v. dwin·dled, dwin·dling, dwin·dles v.intr. To become gradually less until little remains. v.tr. To cause to dwindle. See Synonyms at decrease. . Colon is on the disabled list with elbow tendinitis. ``As of right now I don't think we know one way or another, but things would obviously have to pick up over the weekend and we'll evaluate him and see where he is,'' manager Mike Scioscia said. Back in action: Dallas McPherson, who has dealt with two bouts of back spasms since June 22, is back on the field at Triple-A Salt Lake. In his first rehab assignment, McPherson was playing some first base in anticipation of a move there with the Angels, but he was injured again. Scioscia said McPherson is feeling much better and is curious to see how he produces in games. |
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