Feb. 14, 2011
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) -- The expected return of first baseman Kendry Morales and the Angels' offseason acquisition of center fielder Vernon Wells are among the reasons manager Mike Scioscia said things are looking up for his team.
"We're a better team now than we were at any point last year," Scioscia said Monday as pitchers and catchers began workouts at the team's spring training complex in Tempe.
"It would have been (a disappointing offseason) if we weren't able to get Wells," Scioscia said. "It's critical for us to get Kendry Morales into the middle of the lineup. ... I'm very happy with the way we're lining up contingent on a couple of things, Kendry is one of those."
Morales had just belted his 11th homer of the season, a game-winning grand slam last May, and was celebrating at home plate when his left leg snapped. The season that had been looking so promising was suddenly over.
Now he'll get the kid-glove treatment this spring but all sides are hopeful he'll be ready by opening day.
"Our first goal is to get him running to 100 percent," Scioscia said. "I think he'll be able to make all the plays he needs to on the field. His range of motion is terrific. The long-range prognosis is very good. The short range is we'll ease him in to what he needs to do."
Morales said he is experiencing tightness in his left ankle when he runs straight ahead but no pain.
He said he's put on 10 pounds that he feels he'll shed once he resumes full workouts.
Scioscia has hinted that Maicer Izturis is the likely lead-off hitter with Bobby Abreu second. Morales, Wells and Torii Hunter figure to hold down the middle of the batting order in some arrangement.
The Angles acquired Wells in a deal that sent sluggers Mike Napoli and Juan Rivera to the Toronto Blue Jays.
