Post by Fish Troll on Apr 30, 2007 22:09:17 GMT -5
Notes: Figgins returns to starting lineup
Anderson, Izturis sit out, might not be ready for Tuesday
By Lyle Spencer / MLB.com
KANSAS CITY -- Chone Figgins was back in his element on Monday night. He was in the Angels' lineup for the first time this season, playing third base and hitting ninth, the fractured tips of his right index and middle fingers having had five weeks to heal.
"I'll play the game like always -- all out," Figgins said as he prepared to take his swings from the right side against Royals left-hander Odalis Perez.
The Angels came into the four-game series having won eight of the past 10, including two of three from the White Sox in Chicago to break free from the bonds of a 1-7 opening road trip against Cleveland, Boston and Oakland.
"I'll jump on board and hopefully contribute, help win ballgames," Figgins said, having hit .357 with 14 at-bats in four tuneup games with Triple-A Salt Lake, testing the fingers and getting his motor humming.
"I was getting in the swing of things, going at it, competing," Figgins said. "It felt good -- full bore all the time."
There is residual soreness in the fingers, he said, but the medical people told him that was to be expected.
"They said I could play through it," Figgins said. "I went down there and had some good at-bats. For not playing in five weeks, to get some hits [showed] a good approach."
Figgins figures to put a charge in a running game that hasn't been quite the same force without his legs and attitude. The Angels are fourth in the American League in steals with 19 after leading both leagues the past three seasons, in large part because of Figgins' 148 thefts -- including a league-best 62 in 2005 followed by 52 last season.
"Figgy brings energy," manager Mike Scioscia said, "and he certainly brings depth to a lineup [with] his offensive presence."
Anderson, Izturis sit: The Angels are being conservative with Garret Anderson (tightness in his right hip flexor) and Maicer Izturis (right hamstring tightness). Both sat out Monday's series opener and are doubtful for Tuesday night.
Erick Aybar, hitting .286 overall and .467 with runners in scoring position, was at second base and hitting sixth. Reggie Willits, a .346 hitter with a .429 on-base percentage, was batting second and playing left.
"I try to stay within myself and have a good at-bat wherever I hit," Willits said. "If the leadoff guy doesn't get on, I think of myself as the leadoff guy. To me, it's no different, the leadoff hole or nine hole."
Coming up through the Angels' system with Aybar, Willits said he'd usually hit first and Aybar second in the first half of seasons, and they'd switch roles in the second half to give each a different perspective.
Anderson played catch on Monday and remains day-to-day. Izturis, who homered and singled, driving in three runs, before leaving Sunday's game, is expected to get the bulk of the playing time at second until Howie Kendrick (broken bone in his left hand) is able to play. Kendrick said he's still unable to play catch without pain in the glove hand.
Asked about the hamstring he tweaked running the bases on Sunday, Izturis said: "It's a little sore, not bad. I'll be OK in a day or two, no problem. It's good for Erick to play. He's been doing a great job."
Lineup flexible: It's not written in stone, Scioscia said, that Figgins will continue to hit ninth. He could move to the top of the order, with Gary Matthews Jr. having the versatility to drop to second or third.
"Our preference is to see how Figgy [at] nine, Gary [at] one works," Scioscia said. "There are some lineups we've looked at with Figgy leading off and Gary second. Orlando Cabrera's a terrific situational guy. Could there be a grouping with Gary in the three hole? Sure."
Vladimir Guerrero is expected to return to the No. 3 spot when Anderson is able to resume his cleanup role, but those two could be moved back a spot each to fourth and fifth, depending on matchups.
Switch-hitters abound: With Figgins back, the ranks of athletes who swing from both sides swell to five. He joins Matthews, Izturis, Aybar and Willits.
"Switch-hitters can be a good tool for the lineup," Scioscia said, "but every switch-hitter is really two different players. Some guys swing a little better from one side, which might influence how you play them.
"The value of Willits, Aybar and Izturis in configuring the lineup is very real. The versatility they bring is important, especially when you have a four-man bench."
The Angels are going with a 12-man pitching staff until the five starters are fully stretched out.
Up next: Coming off an 11-strikeout winning effort in seven innings against Tampa Bay, Bartolo Colon (2-0, 1.93) faces Royals right-hander Zack Greinke (1-2, 3.51) on Tuesday at Kauffman Stadium at 5:10 p.m. PT.
Lyle Spencer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Anderson, Izturis sit out, might not be ready for Tuesday
By Lyle Spencer / MLB.com
KANSAS CITY -- Chone Figgins was back in his element on Monday night. He was in the Angels' lineup for the first time this season, playing third base and hitting ninth, the fractured tips of his right index and middle fingers having had five weeks to heal.
"I'll play the game like always -- all out," Figgins said as he prepared to take his swings from the right side against Royals left-hander Odalis Perez.
The Angels came into the four-game series having won eight of the past 10, including two of three from the White Sox in Chicago to break free from the bonds of a 1-7 opening road trip against Cleveland, Boston and Oakland.
"I'll jump on board and hopefully contribute, help win ballgames," Figgins said, having hit .357 with 14 at-bats in four tuneup games with Triple-A Salt Lake, testing the fingers and getting his motor humming.
"I was getting in the swing of things, going at it, competing," Figgins said. "It felt good -- full bore all the time."
There is residual soreness in the fingers, he said, but the medical people told him that was to be expected.
"They said I could play through it," Figgins said. "I went down there and had some good at-bats. For not playing in five weeks, to get some hits [showed] a good approach."
Figgins figures to put a charge in a running game that hasn't been quite the same force without his legs and attitude. The Angels are fourth in the American League in steals with 19 after leading both leagues the past three seasons, in large part because of Figgins' 148 thefts -- including a league-best 62 in 2005 followed by 52 last season.
"Figgy brings energy," manager Mike Scioscia said, "and he certainly brings depth to a lineup [with] his offensive presence."
Anderson, Izturis sit: The Angels are being conservative with Garret Anderson (tightness in his right hip flexor) and Maicer Izturis (right hamstring tightness). Both sat out Monday's series opener and are doubtful for Tuesday night.
Erick Aybar, hitting .286 overall and .467 with runners in scoring position, was at second base and hitting sixth. Reggie Willits, a .346 hitter with a .429 on-base percentage, was batting second and playing left.
"I try to stay within myself and have a good at-bat wherever I hit," Willits said. "If the leadoff guy doesn't get on, I think of myself as the leadoff guy. To me, it's no different, the leadoff hole or nine hole."
Coming up through the Angels' system with Aybar, Willits said he'd usually hit first and Aybar second in the first half of seasons, and they'd switch roles in the second half to give each a different perspective.
Anderson played catch on Monday and remains day-to-day. Izturis, who homered and singled, driving in three runs, before leaving Sunday's game, is expected to get the bulk of the playing time at second until Howie Kendrick (broken bone in his left hand) is able to play. Kendrick said he's still unable to play catch without pain in the glove hand.
Asked about the hamstring he tweaked running the bases on Sunday, Izturis said: "It's a little sore, not bad. I'll be OK in a day or two, no problem. It's good for Erick to play. He's been doing a great job."
Lineup flexible: It's not written in stone, Scioscia said, that Figgins will continue to hit ninth. He could move to the top of the order, with Gary Matthews Jr. having the versatility to drop to second or third.
"Our preference is to see how Figgy [at] nine, Gary [at] one works," Scioscia said. "There are some lineups we've looked at with Figgy leading off and Gary second. Orlando Cabrera's a terrific situational guy. Could there be a grouping with Gary in the three hole? Sure."
Vladimir Guerrero is expected to return to the No. 3 spot when Anderson is able to resume his cleanup role, but those two could be moved back a spot each to fourth and fifth, depending on matchups.
Switch-hitters abound: With Figgins back, the ranks of athletes who swing from both sides swell to five. He joins Matthews, Izturis, Aybar and Willits.
"Switch-hitters can be a good tool for the lineup," Scioscia said, "but every switch-hitter is really two different players. Some guys swing a little better from one side, which might influence how you play them.
"The value of Willits, Aybar and Izturis in configuring the lineup is very real. The versatility they bring is important, especially when you have a four-man bench."
The Angels are going with a 12-man pitching staff until the five starters are fully stretched out.
Up next: Coming off an 11-strikeout winning effort in seven innings against Tampa Bay, Bartolo Colon (2-0, 1.93) faces Royals right-hander Zack Greinke (1-2, 3.51) on Tuesday at Kauffman Stadium at 5:10 p.m. PT.
Lyle Spencer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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