ANGELS NOTEBOOK: MATHIS' HAND HIT BY PITCH.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 SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - The opportunity for some Angels players to get in a little extra work in minor-league games nearly turned into disaster. Jeff Mathis Jeffrey Stephen "Jeff" Mathis (born March 31, 1983 in Marianna, Florida, USA) is a major league baseball catcher playing with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and made his Major League debut on August 12, 2005 with them. He bats and throws right handed. was hit on the right hand by a pitch from San Francisco Giants The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California that currently play in the National League West Division. New York Giants history Early days and the John McGraw era minor-leaguer Chris Begg Chris Begg (born September 12, 1979 in Uxbridge, Ontario) is a Canadian baseball pitcher. A graduate of Niagara University, Begg was signed up as an undrafted free agent by the San Francisco Giants in 2003. in a Triple-A matchup and had to leave the game. Many of the players projected for the 25-man roster played in minor-league games since the major-league team had a break in the Cactus League schedule. Mathis was taken for X-rays, but didn't think the injury was serious. ``I was pretty nervous for a minute, but it stopped hurting me after we put ice on it,'' Mathis said. Manager Mike Scioscia ``Right now, it's swollen and tender where it hit him but he'll be all right,'' Scioscia said. ``You never want to see it. It can happen anywhere. Hopefully it's a little bruise and he'll be all right in a couple of days.'' Mathis is fighting it out with Jose Molina for the starting catcher spot. If he is unable to play for any extended period, the Angels' next player in line for a major-league catching job likely would be Mike Napoli Michael Anthony "Mike" Napoli (b. October 31, 1981 in Hollywood, Florida) is a Major League Baseball catcher with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Napoli attended Charles Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines, Florida. , who played at Double-A last season. --Staying sharp: Along with the opportunity to get some at-bats, Mathis also was on hand at the minor-league game to catch John Lackey John Derran Lackey (born October 23, 1978, in Abilene, Texas) is a major league baseball starting pitcher from Abilene, Texas. He has played for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim his entire career. and Hector Carrasco. He left the game before Carrasco pitched in relief. Lackey was in the minor-league game to keep him in line to start the second game of the season April 4 at Seattle. Carrasco was utilizing the game after his start Sunday was wiped out by rain. Lackey, who was in his third start of the spring after dealing with a bout of shoulder soreness, had six strikeouts and gave up just two hits in his four innings of work, throwing 50 pitches. Afterward, he threw 20 more pitches in the bullpen. ``I think (the shoulder soreness) is done,'' Lackey said. ``I felt strong today. I'm not worried about it. I'm going to stay on it and keep doing my exercises and stuff but I'm not worried about it. I think I'll be ready to go.'' Lackey's focus Monday was on his changeup, especially to right-handed batters. --Good job: Francisco Rodriguez Francisco Rodriguez may refer to:
``They all threw well,'' Scioscia said. ``They got stretched out and are where they need to be. Lackey threw well and Joe Saunders threw the ball well, too. He had good action on his ball.'' Relievers J.C. Romero and Scot Shields, who were supposed to pitch in Sunday's rained-out Cactus League game, each will pitch today. Romero will pitch for the Angels in today's Cactus League game against the Texas Rangers at Surprise, Ariz., while Shields will pitch in a minor- league game with Brendan Donnelly. --McPherson update: Also utilizing the minor-league games was Dallas McPherson,who was allowed to bounce between the Double-A and Triple-A contests in order to get in as many swings as possible. McPherson went a combined 5 for 10 with a home run on the first pitch of the Triple-A game. The long drive over Camelback cam·el·back adj. Shaped like a hump or an arching curve. n. New Orleans A narrow house with one story in front and two in the rear. See Regional Note at beignet. Road was generously estimated by Scioscia at 520 feet. ``Dallas made some adjustments last week working with (hitting coach) Mickey (Hatcher) and (roving hitting instructor) Ty Van Burkleo Tyler Lee Van Burkleo (born October 7, 1963 in Oakland, California) is the current hitting coach for the Oakland Athletics and a former first baseman in Major League Baseball. ,'' Scioscia said. ``I think he is feeling more comfortable with his balance and his load and his hands, with a shorter path to the ball.'' --Return engagement: Bartolo Colon makes his return to camp today after spending the past three weeks with the Dominican Republic team in the World Baseball Classic
``Where Bart and Escobar were, they were really behind as we went into the offseason but they're ahead of where they need to be now so that's a good sign,'' Scioscia said. Doug Padilla, (626) 962-8811, ext. 2758 doug.padilla(at)sgvn.com |
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