The Angels begin a 10-day, three-city road trip under a dark cloud, and it has nothing to do with Seattle’s traditional overcast (it’s a beautiful day, actually). Jon Morosi of FOXSports.com tweeted that both Jerry Dipoto and Mike Scioscia are not expected back next season; owner Arte Moreno is expected to fire one of them. And Scott Miller of CBSSports.com wrote about a near-fight between Albert Pujols and Torii Hunter last summer. Meanwhile, Mike Scioscia addressed the stress of this season and I asked him about more reports that his job is in jeopardy. Here’s what he said …
“You’re evaluated every day, not only in this position — in this game you’re evaluated. It doesn’t change anything that you can be about. You have to go out there and keep doing what you know is the right thing to do and move forward. That’s what we’re going to do.”
Angels (55-71)
J.B. Shuck, RF
Erick Aybar, SS
Mike Trout, DH
Josh Hamilton, LF
Mark Trumbo, 1B
Chris Nelson, 3B
Chris Iannetta, C
Grant Green, 2B
Peter Bourjos, CF
SP: RH Garrett Richards (3-5, 4.24 ERA)
Mariners (59-67)
Brad Miller, SS
Michael Saunders, CF
Kyle Seager, 3B
Kendrys Morales, DH
Raul Ibanez, LF
Justin Smoak, 1B
Endy Chavez, RF
Dustin Ackley, 2B
Henry Blanco, C
SP: RH Felix Hernandez (12-6, 2.62 ERA)
- Trout, in case you hadn’t noticed, is in there. Scioscia told him that if he could run the bases, he could play. So he did, and he says he feels just fine. The Angels need him against King Felix. They’ve totaled four runs and hit .216/.300/.302 in the three games he missed against Cleveland.
- The Howie Kendrick news is not as bright. He has yet to be able to run full speed, and there’s no timetable yet for his return. He was expected to be back by now, but every time he does running drills, his sprained left knee gets sore.
- Cory Rasmus, acquired in exchange for Scott Downs, was called up today, with Billy Buckner getting DFA’d.
- Mariners skipper Eric Wedge is back with the team for the first time since suffering a stroke in July. “Great to see Eric back,” Scioscia said. “He’s a really good baseball man, and I know he loves managing. It’s scary when something like that happens.”
- In case you missed it yesterday, a look at where the Angels go from here.
– Alden
