ANGELS NOTEBOOK: OPENING DAY ROSTER ABOUT SET.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 TEMPE, Ariz. -- There seem to be few questions remaining about the Angels' Opening Day roster. The only interesting one centers on a cluster of three players vying for two bench spots: Erick Aybar Erick Johan Aybar (born January 14, 1984 in Baní, Dominican Republic) He is a Major League Baseball shortstop with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He has also previously played in the Dominican Republic. , Tommy Murphy Tommy Murphy can refer to:
Assuming the plan is to have Jered Weaver Jered David Weaver (born October 4, 1982 in Northridge, California), is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Jered attended college at Long Beach State University where he was the 2004 College Baseball's Golden Spikes Award winner. open the season on the disabled list, the pitching staff seems set. 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. , Kelvim Escobar Kelvim Jose Escobar Bolivar [ess-coe-BAR] (born April 11, 1976 in La Guaira, Venezuela) is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who currently plays for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2004-present). He bats and throws right handed. , Ervin Santana Ervin Ramon Santana (born December 12, 1982 in La Romana, Dominican Republic) is a right-handed starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Career Santana was a starting pitcher for the Angels' double-A affiliate, the Arkansas Travelers early in 2005, where he and Joe Saunders Joseph Francis "Joe" Saunders (born June 16, 1981 in Falls Church, Virginia) is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Saunders played college baseball at Virginia Tech, where he compiled a 27-7 career record. comprise the rotation as of now and will start in that order. The bullpen seems set with Francisco Rodriguez Francisco Rodriguez may refer to:
When Weaver comes back, likely in the second week of the season, Moseley or Bootcheck will be sent down to Triple-A Las Vegas. Either Carrasco or Moseley will start for Weaver in the first turn through the rotation. Moseley appears to be the leading candidate for that assignment. The outfield will consist of Garret Anderson, Gary Matthews Jr. and Vladimir Guerrero. The starting infield will be Casey Kotchman at first, Howie Kendrick at second, Orlando Cabrera at shortstop and Chone Figgins at third. Mike Napoli would appear to have the starting catcher job locked up. Bench guys who don't have to wait to make travel plans for Anaheim include Jose Molina, Shea Hillenbrand, Robb Quinlan and Maicer Izturis. As for the final two spots, Aybar and Izturis seem to offer similar skill sets, which hurts Aybar's chances. But Murphy and Willits are similar, too, though Murphy supplies more power and Willits is better at working counts and situational hitting. Whatever the combination, the Angels will enter the season with a young bench, which is not always ideal. Veterans are desired for bench spots because of they typically have a better understanding of what it takes to stay prepared for spotty playing time. Quinlan, who hit a home run on his 30th birthday Saturday and another one a day later, offers the Angels some bench experience. Hillenbrand essentially will be a starter, taking a bulk of the designated-hitter duty. "The biggest key is to just have that mentality that you're going to play every day because you never know," Quinlan said. "When you are a bench player you don't get as many opportunities as maybe you would like so you have to take advantage of them when you do." Quinlan's theory is that a bench player needs to embrace the role, since a positive attitude preventsavoids discouragement. "I realized in a year or two that the guys on the bench are going to get a lot of paying time," Quinlan said. "I don't think it's an issue at all. I think it's great that we'll have a good young bench and these guys are going to get in there and play." Weaver coming along: As Weaver progresses through simulated and camp games against minor-league competition, the coaching staff will keep an eye on the right-hander's mechanics. Weaver has been fighting through biceps tendinitis, an issue he says has been recurring for as long as he's pitched. Manager Mike Scioscia said he is confident Weaver will be forthcoming about any arm discomfort. "I think with Jered, he's honest with us," Scioscia said. "But you would see it in his delivery or his arm slot if there was something that was inhibiting him from getting through the ball. There was none of that (in a throwing session Monday); he was right on the money." Also: Joe Saunders is expected to return to the rotation today after missing his last start because of soreness on the inside of his left forearm. Saunders is expected to throw 75pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks. ... Bartolo Colon is expected to resume throwing either today or Thursday. doug.padilla@sgvn.com (626) 962-8811, Ext. 2731 CAPTION(S): box Box: BEYOND THE BOX SCORE - Doug Padilla |
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