The May 21st, 2012 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim including Wells and Langerhans headed for the DL, Pujols could get spot starts at third base, Angels hoping to have Hunter back by the end of the week and much more…
The Monkey Says: It’ll be interesting to see who they call up since they have no outfielders on the 40-man roster, though I can see them adding Kole Calhoun, but that would mean creating a 40-man roster spot. In fact, I bet that is what they do. They will probably also call up a reliever at the other spot since the bullpen is taxed. Heck, they might even call up two relievers, sending down David Pauley since he can’t even get pitchers out. For those scoring at home, my bet would be that they DFA Pauley, add Calhoun to the 40-man and promote him and recall Bobby Cassevah and Kevin Jepsen.
The Monkey Says: ONLY during interleague games, so settle down everyone. I know people have suggested making a more permanent move across the diamond for Albter, but people seem to forget that Pujols has a problematic right elbow. Asking him to play the hot corner on a regular basis and make the throw across the diamond all the time puts that elbow at risk. I’m not even sure I like the idea of him getting spot starts there either because it means Kendrys Morales playing first base and thus putting his own health at risk.
The Story: The Angels are hoping to have Torii Hunter back by May 27th.
The Monkey Says: The news has been positive in favor of his son’s case being cleared up, so this seems realistic, but don’t be surprised if it doesn’t happen, though I very much hope it does both for his own sake and because the team needs him.
The Story: This quote came out of Mike Scioscia’s mouth “On-base percentage — that’s our first priority.”
The Monkey Says: That is incredible for two reasons. First, because that has never been Scioscia’s philosophy. I mean, you can almost see Dipoto working the marionnete strings on that one. Second, he said it about why Peter Bourjos hasn’t been playing, which is just laughable since he is losing his playing time to Vernon Wells, who is an OBP sinkhole. Two steps forward, one step back.
The Story: Bud Black believes Mike Scioscia will stay with the Angels for the long term.
The Monkey Says: The comedy just keeps rolling in. I find it highly doubtful that Bud Black has any inside information from anyone other than Scioscia to inform his opinion on this matter, but his opinion is almost more of a curse since Black is the odds-on favorite to be the first manager fired this season.
The Story: A look at the kind of career new hitting coach Jim Eppard had as a player.
The Monkey Says: Don’t focus on his playing days, focus on his extensive coaching experience because that matters more than anything.
The Story: Albert Pujols is finding center field and hopefully his missing stroke is right behind it.
The Monkey Says: Nope. He has done almost nothing since those two homers and he is still pulling everything, though he does look to have started showing more plate discipline lately.