RHP Kelvim Escobar (strained calf) had to limit his activity early in spring training, but it was not considered serious.
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--Former Angels Mark Langston and Jim Abbott were in camp as guest instructors, and fellow alums Tim Salmon, Bobby Grich and Chuck Finley are expected later this spring. It's a tradition that manager Mike Scioscia brought over from his days with the Dodgers. "I think you bring forward the tradition of an organization as much as you can," Scioscia said. "I grew up with it when I played, having guys like Roy Campanella and Johnny Roseboro and Sandy Koufax and Johnny Podres, Carl Erskine. These guys were fixtures at Dodgertown. As a player, it's a great support group for you."
--RHP Kelvim Escobar has been set back in his recovery from shoulder surgery -- but not because of his arm. Escobar suffered a strained calf muscle during workouts last weekend and had to limit his activity for the week. He has continued his long-toss throwing program and is optimistic about throwing off a mound again sometime in the next week.
--C Mike Napoli has begun his throwing program after a slow recovery from October surgery on his right shoulder. Napoli has continued to hit and do all fielding drills during workouts, but without throwing. It is possible he could open the season on a minor league injury-rehabilitation assignment.
--The Angels will have nine players in the World Baseball Classic -- RHP Scot Shields and LHP Brian Fuentes (Team USA), RHP Jose Arredondo (Dominican Republic), OF Bobby Abreu (Venezuela), RHP Rich Thompson (Australia), IF Kevin Ramos (Panama), IF Hainley Statia (Netherlands), IF Freddy Sandoval and RHP Francisco Rodriguez (Mexico).
--OF Bobby Abreu started each of the Angels' first three Cactus League games in left field. After spending his first 11 seasons as a big-league regular playing right field, Abreu is making the transition to left with the Angels. He has found the Arizona sun his biggest problem. Abreu struggled with flyballs in the first two games, then lost one in the sun for a triple Friday against the Rockies.
BY THE NUMBERS: 378-270 -- Angels' regular-season record over the last four seasons (best in the major leagues).
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It sounds contradictory. But Francisco Rodriguez isn't here, and right now we have -- even without Francisco -- more depth and more versatility than we have had in quite some time." -- Angels manager Mike Scioscia on the team's bullpen in the wake of losing record-setting closer Francisco Rodriguez to free agency.
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The Angels traded away first baseman Casey Kotchman to get first baseman Mark Teixeira, who left as a free agent after only two months. Now they are hoping Kendry Morales can keep that from being remembered as a blunder.
The switch-hitting Cuban has been all but handed the first base job in Teixeira's wake. The Angels' only other options are utility man Robb Quinlan and outfielder Juan Rivera, who has almost no experience at first base.
