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--OF Bobby Abreu said manager Mike Scioscia has already talked to him about batting second in the lineup between leadoff man Chone Figgins and Vladimir Guerrero. "No problem," said Abreu who has primarily batted third or fourth during his career. "The guys who we're going to have batting eighth or ninth, they're going to get on base. As soon as the game starts, you bat second once then it's the same as batting third or fourth."
--RHP Jered Weaver is "on schedule -- just a little tardy" with his throwing program again this spring. Weaver opened the 2007 season on the DL when he reported to camp with biceps tendinitis and a tired shoulder. This time, the tightness popped up in January, and Weaver started an exercise and treatment program early. "Same stuff, different year," Weaver said. He has been throwing long toss up to 180 feet and could get on a mound by the end of next week.
--C Mike Napoli continued to suffer from inflammation in his right shoulder for two months after October surgery on the joint. He said the problem has cleared up but he has yet to be cleared to start a throwing program. If he is not ready to catch by Opening Day, he might start the season on a minor league rehab assignment.
--OF Juan Rivera is the latest to back out of the World Baseball Classic. The Venezuelan native was expected in Angels camp this week, but decided not to play in the WBC and will report to Tempe next week instead. OF Bobby Abreu (Venezuela), RHP Jose Arredondo (Dominican Republic), RHP Scot Shields (USA) and LHP Brian Fuentes (USA) are still expected to participate. So, too, are a handful of Angels' minor leaguers, including RHP Rich Thompson (Australia), INF Freddy Sandoval (Mexico) and SS Hainley Statia (Netherlands).
--RHP Kelvim Escobar said he is "way ahead of schedule" in his recovery from surgery on his pitching shoulder last summer. Escobar has already progressed through the long-toss portion of his throwing program and is throwing off flat ground, the final step before throwing off a mound. Manager Mike Scioscia said the team is optimistic now that Escobar could return to the rotation before the original post-All-Star break projection.
BY THE NUMBERS: 3 -- Number of players left with the Angels from their 2002 championship team, RHPs John Lackey and Scot Shields, and 3B Chone Figgins.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'm so happy now. I'm so positive. There's no doubt in my mind I'm coming back." -- RHP Kelvim Escobar on his comeback from shoulder surgery.
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--OF Bobby Abreu said manager Mike Scioscia has already talked to him about batting second in the lineup between leadoff man Chone Figgins and Vladimir Guerrero. "No problem," said Abreu who has primarily batted third or fourth during his career. "The guys who we're going to have batting eighth or ninth, they're going to get on base. As soon as the game starts, you bat second once then it's the same as batting third or fourth."
--RHP Jered Weaver is "on schedule -- just a little tardy" with his throwing program again this spring. Weaver opened the 2007 season on the DL when he reported to camp with biceps tendinitis and a tired shoulder. This time, the tightness popped up in January, and Weaver started an exercise and treatment program early. "Same stuff, different year," Weaver said. He has been throwing long toss up to 180 feet and could get on a mound by the end of next week.
--C Mike Napoli continued to suffer from inflammation in his right shoulder for two months after October surgery on the joint. He said the problem has cleared up but he has yet to be cleared to start a throwing program. If he is not ready to catch by Opening Day, he might start the season on a minor league rehab assignment.
