"That's not a philosophy. That's a plate-discipline issue that some guys got a little out of what they need to do," Scioscia said. "Our philosophy is absolutely not to wail and bail. Our philosophy is very clear. Some times there's a perception out there that I don't know how it gets created."
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--RHP Jose Arredondo is the latest Angel to back out of the World Baseball Classic. Arredondo felt a pull in his left hip flexor while pitching against the Brewers last weekend and decided not to pitch for the Dominican team. He has stayed in camp with the Angels, receiving treatment for the strain. The problem is not considered serious.
--OF Vladimir Guerrero continues to progress in his recovery from offseason knee surgery and has begun running as part of his daily workouts. Guerrero is not expected to play in Cactus League games for another week or so but is expected to be at full strength for Opening Day.
--Angels general manager Tony Reagins met with Steve Hilliard, agent for RHP John Lackey, on Friday at the team's offices in Tempe Diablo Stadium. But Reagins said the discussions were "very, very preliminary" and did not include any substantive talks about contract parameters. Lackey is a potential free agent after this season and said he would prefer not to have contract discussions extend into the season.
--RHP Kelvim Escobar returned to throwing in the bullpen after taking it easy for a week because of a strained left calf. The next two weeks will be an important period in Escobar's recovery from shoulder surgery, manager Mike Scioscia said. "I think the next two weeks will give us a lot more clarity on that (when he can rejoin the Angels' rotation). It's one thing to throw bullpens. It's another thing to get in against hitters, get in games, raising the intensity. We're going to have to play that one by ear."
--The Angels will wear a patch on one sleeve this season to honor Preston Gomez. Gomez spent 65 years in baseball as a player, coach, manager, scout and front-office executive, including more than 30 in the Angels' organization. He died in January from injuries suffered in an accident last spring. The patch is a black baseball diamond with the name "Preston" written across it.
BY THE NUMBERS: 35 -- Walks the Angels drew in their first six spring games (the most of any team).
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Three or four of us were watching him in the bullpen and we're like, 'July? Come on -- July?' He definitely doesn't look four months away." -- RHP Shane Loux on RHP Kelvim Escobar's rapid recovery from shoulder surgery.
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The best regular season in franchise history was followed by a postseason result that has become all too common for the Angels recently. After the franchise's first 100-win season and fourth division title in the last five seasons, the Angels were ushered out of the first round of the playoffs by the Boston Red Sox for the third time in the last five seasons. The Angels took an unexpected approach to breaking that pattern of regular-season success and postseason disappointment -- they spent most of the offseason watching key players leave by free agency while adding only one significant part (LHP Brian Fuentes). OF Bobby Abreu was added on the eve of spring training.
ARRIVALS: LHP Brian Fuentes (free agent from Rockies), OF Bobby Abreu (free agent from Yankees).
