The Reds aren’t going with the DH, as originally planned, so Kendrys Morales will instead have the day off. He said he’s feeling a bit fatigued and expects to be in the lineup on Thursday, at home against the Royals …
Angels (15-9-1)
Peter Bourjos, CF
Bobby Abreu, RF
Maicer Izturis, SS
Vernon Wells, LF
Mark Trumbo, 1B
Alberto Callaspo, 3B
Chris Iannetta, C
Alexi Amarista, 2B
Dan Haren, SP
Others pitching: Kevin Jepsen, Jason Isringhausen
Reds (10-16-1)
Brandon Phillips, 2B
Wilson Valdez, SS
Joey Votto, 1B
Scott Rolen, 3B
Jay Bruce, RF
Todd Frazier, LF
Drew Stubbs, CF
Ryan Hanigan, C
Bronson Arroyo, SP
Some notes from this morning …
- These are two really big days for Isringhausen. “Pitch well or go home.”
- It’s pretty much a sure thing by now that Michael Kohn (forearm strain) and Bobby Cassevah (labrum tear) will be starting the season on the disabled list. Kohn won’t start throwing again for another week. Cassevah threw all his pitches in a 25-pitch bullpen on Tuesday and said he “felt normal,” so he hopes to be activated as early as possible — which would be April 11.
- Ervin Santana will pitch in a Minor League game on Thursday, instead of throwing against the Royals in Tempe.
- Mike Scioscia on Magic Johnson, who he would run into periodically during his playing days and is part of the group that won the bidding for the Dodgers: “He’s always been a huge baseball fan, and I’m sure it’s going to be a positive.”
- Jered Weaver felt good while hurling six shutout innings in a Triple-A game at Talking Stick on Wednesday. Felt it was his best outing yet.
- Scoiscia on Yu Darvish, who he’s seen video of: “Obviously he has a variety of pitches, has good angle and looks like his command is good. That’s why he’s had success in Japan, that’s why he was coveted to come over here.”
- The plan for Morales is to play on Thursday and Friday, then Sunday and Monday. He’ll then pinch-hit on Tuesday and Wednesday at Dodger Stadium (where there’s no DH), and Scioscia feels that will be enough to have him ready for Opening Day.
Some links from Tuesday …
- Howie Kendrick to benefit from Albert Pujols‘ presence
- Brad Mills encouraged by his spring with new team
- Injuries create opportunities in Halos’ bullpen
- Trumbo makes good on first slow roller
- Amarista drives in the winning run
Some AL West links …
- Rangers set to name starting rotation
- Dustin Ackley, Ichiro Suzuki unstoppable in Mariners’ Opening Day win in Japan (yes, Opening Day)
- Brandon McCarthy pitches well, but gets no-decision in loss
And the Heat are in need of an energy boost. Yeah, tell me about it.
– Alden
