Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim

[manchild24]

Joe Saunders will have his next start pushed back to Friday.

Manager Mike Scioscia wants to get Saunders an extra day of rest after a complete game his last time out. The move also separates Ervin Santana and John Lackey to get "some length" between the two pitchers just beginning their seasons.

 

[manchild24]

Brandon Wood hit two homers, doubled and walked Wednesday for Triple-A Salt Lake.

Not that it seems to matter, but Wood is now hitting .351/.439/.877 with eight homers in 57 at-bats for Salt Lake.

 

[manchild24]

According to the L.A. Times, the Angels are close to inking veteran reliever Rudy Seanez to a minor league contract.

Seanez, 40, went 5-4 with a 3.53 ERA in 42 games last season for the Phillies. He'll start out at Triple-A Salt Lake, where he'll provide middle relief depth. The Angels' bullpen boasts a 2-9 record, a major league-worst 6.90 ERA and five blown saves this season.

 

[manchild24]

Angels optioned RHP Rafael Rodriguez to Triple-A Salt Lake.

Rodriguez posted a 4.91 ERA and 3/3 K/BB ratio in 11 innings with the Angels. The club needed a roster spot for Thursday's starter, Ervin Santana.

 

[manchild24]

With Ervin Santana and John Lackey returning from the disabled list, Shane Loux will head back to the bullpen.

Loux went 2-2 with a 4.64 ERA in six starts and is taking the move in stride. "I'm not blind -- the goal of the team was to get those guys back, and I've understood where I stand from day one," said the 29-year-old. "I'm excited to go to the bullpen."

 

[manchild24]

Vladimir Guerrero (torn pectoral) will begin taking batting practice Friday, according to manager Mike Scioscia.

Details on Guerrero's rehab plan remained vague. He is set to participate in batting practice for "a while," but that is all that Scioscia would divulge. The slugger was initially supposed to begin hitting a ball early next week, so the fact that it was moved up a few days is a good sign. A late May return is still likely.

 

[manchild24]

Angels optioned RHP Anthony Ortega to Triple-A Salt Lake on May 11.

Ortega allowed 19 hits and 13 earned runs in 12 2/3 innings before the Angels finally gave up on him. He's no longer needed now that John Lackey and Ervin Santana are healthy enough for the starting rotation

 

[OKCL]

Palmer completely dominated yesterday.

 

[manchild24]

I forgot all about my Angels and giving some news on the thread. We're not looking good tonight though

 

[OKCL]

That umpire must be on crack, spoiling Lackey's debut. :beatup:

 

[manchild24]

how about that, come on. The guy's forearm is still tender.

 

[manchild24]

John Lackey threw just two pitches in his 2009 debut on Saturday before he was ejected by the home plate umpire.

Lackey threw behind the head of Rangers leadoff man Ian Kinsler with his first pitch of '09, then nailed him in the back on his second delivery. It likely wasn't intentional, put home plate umpire Bob Davidson gave him the boot anyway. Lackey walked slowly off the field with his hands raised and a puzzled look on his face.

 

[manchild24]

Gary Matthews Jr. returned to action on Saturday and went 2-for-4.

Matthews missed three days because of tightness in his lower back.

 

[manchild24]

Jered Weaver went eight innings and allowed just three runs against the Rangers on Sunday but still took a loss in a 3-0 game.

Weaver struck out seven, walked three, and gave up six hits. Two of the three runs came in the eighth inning when he allowed a triple and two doubles, so fatigue was likely a factor. Weaver is 3-2 with a 2.59 ERA on the season.


Lets get him some run support

 

[manchild24]

The Angels confirmed that John Lackey would start Monday's game against the Mariners.

Lackey was ejected after throwing two pitches Saturday. Matt Palmer will be pushed back just one day to Tuesday, with Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders set to follow versus Seattle.

 

[manchild24]

Kendry Morales went 3-for-5 with a pair of homers and three RBI as the Angels defeated the Mariners 10-6 on Monday night.

Morales launched a two-run shot in the fifth with the scored tied 5-5. He added a solo shot in the eighth inning. Morales is finally flashing some legitimate power, as he's got eight homers on the season to go along with 26 RBI.

 

[manchild24]

Vladimir Guerrero is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment Friday with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.

Vlad has been out since the middle of April with a torn pectoral muscle. If all goes well at Rancho Cucamonga this weekend, he could return to the Angels' lineup on Monday. He was hitting .250/.314/.344 with one home run and three RBI before he was sidelined.

 

[manchild24]

Kelvim Escobar is hoping to throw around 60 pitches in his first rehab start with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga next week.

Escobar is rehabbing as a starter, but the Angels may decide to use him in the bullpen once he's deemed healthy. "I'll do whatever they want me to do," Escobar said. "It makes sense to [prepare as a starter] because it's easier to adjust to being a reliever. If I can throw 100 pitches, it's easy to throw 20 pitches. I would just have to get used to throwing every day."

 

[manchild24]

Dustin Moseley has been shut down from extended spring training work with a nerve irritation in his neck.

The nerve problem is affecting his throwing arm, so Moseley will undergo tests to see if there is a more significant injury. The nerve irritation has bothered Moseley off-and-on since the end of the 2007 campaign. He's not likely to be back with the Angels before mid-June.

 

[manchild24]

Matt Palmer moved to 5-0 despite allowing five runs over just five innings on Tuesday night.

Can anyone get a hold of the mirrors he's doing this with? Palmer scattered seven hits on the night, including homers to Ken Griffey Jr. and Ronny Cedeno, with three walks against two strikeouts. The 30-year-old has a 4.26 ERA through five starts and he offers little value outside of a matchup play