Notes: Anderson sidelined

03/14/2006
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Angels' starting outfield was placed in limbo Tuesday following the diagnosis of Garret Anderson's sore left foot.
The left fielder was examined in Los Angeles by foot and ankle specialist, Dr. Phil Kwong, who determined Anderson has a strained plantar fascia: a tendon-like band of tissue that encapsulates the muscles and connects from the heel to the ball of the foot. Anderson returned to camp Tuesday afternoon and has been listed as day-to-day.
Less than three weeks remain before the start of the regular season but the club remains cautiously optimistic Anderson will be ready when it opens in Seattle on April 3.
"He doesn't need many at-bats but he is going to have to get out there and play," manager Mike Scioscia said. "It is going to take a little bit of time. There is a little bit of buffer."
Anderson is 2-for-6 with a home run in three games this spring but he has not played in more than a week. Last season, knee and back ailments limited Anderson to 142 games when he hit .283 and was second on the club behind Vladimir Guerrero with 17 homers and 96 RBIs.
The Angels prefer that Anderson play in the outfield, a position where he has traditionally put up better offensive numbers. More than a quarter of Anderson's at-bats last season came as the designated hitter but he managed just a .199 average with one homer and 15 RBIs. Over his career, Anderson has hit .278 with 11 homers and 67 RBIs as a DH.
Juan Rivera would be the leading candidate in left with Chone Figgins being another strong possibility if Anderson is unable to play. Rivera is currently playing for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.
Ready to work: The injury to Anderson could have a trickle effect for Kendry Morales, who will not go quietly this spring. With a pair of hits in Tuesday's 10-7 win over the Royals, Morales is hitting .433 and leading the Angels with six extra-base hits and eight RBIs.
The first baseman is still adjusting to breaking pitches, but he appears readily comfortable in hitting the fastball. Morales cleared the bases in the top of the fifth Tuesday with a triple into the right-center gap and then legged out a double down the right-field line when he slid around the tag at second.
"Part of it is showing I'm ready, but the other part is this is a good experience," Morales said through an interpreter. He also said the velocity is similar at the Major League level but the pitchers are much smarter and has been making the adjustments.
Last spring, the Angels left behind their hottest hitter when Casey Kotchman opened the year at Triple-A. That fate could also await Morales, but the Angels are leaving the door open that he might play, though it wouldn't simply be as a pinch-hitter.
"If there is a role on our club, then we will strongly consider it," Scioscia said. "If he is going to stay with us, it will not be swinging the bat just once a week."
Bring it down: Hector Carrasco made his third start of the spring Tuesday and continued to struggle with the elevation of his pitches.
The right-hander allowed four runs on five hits over three innings. He also walked two and said he's been overthrowing all spring.
"I feel way too strong and that is why I am overthrowing," Carrasco said. "That is what happened last time. I have to cool down a little bit."
Carrasco figures into the Angels' rotation depth this spring as a possible No. 6 starter in the event one of their five regulars is unable to go. He finished last season in Washington's rotation but will be happy with any assignment he draws with the Angels this season.
"I'm so excited that I'm with a new team," Carrasco said. "I'm trying to show everyone that I throw hard. But, I have to work on my location."
Back in action: Dallas McPherson returned to the field Tuesday for the first time since March 6. The third baseman has been out of action with a right oblique strain and went 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout. McPherson has one hit this spring in eight at-bats.
Sent down: Right-handers Nick Adenhart, Jose Arredondo and Bob Zimmermann, and catchers Brenton Del Chiaro and Brett Martinez were reassigned to Minor League camp.
Asides: Brandon Wood hit his first home run of the spring, a solo, opposite-field shot to right-center. It was also Wood's first hit. ... With Darin Erstad getting a day off, Figgins started in center field and went 0-for-2 but scored twice. ... Jeff Mathis drilled his first home run of the spring and also doubled. ... Chris Bootcheck increased his scoreless innings streak this spring to seven.
On deck: The Angels will host the Rangers at 12:05 p.m. PT on Wednesday with right-hander John Lackey scheduled to face Texas right-hander R.A. Dickey. Right-hander Jeff Weaver is set to start Thursday at home against the Cubs.

Source: http://anaheim.angels.mlb.com/