Orange County Register

Angels third baseman Chone Figgins said the toe problem that sidelined him for Wednesday’s game is a recurring thing that seems to crop up every year, usually after a day game when the dirt at Angel Stadium hardens in the sun.

“It feels like a cramp in there,” he said, indicating the base of the big toe (this time on his left foot). “Me, I’m a person who’s always on his toes – playing the infield, running the bases – so it’s just a yearly thing.”

He said it usually clears up quickly enough and he was back in the lineup Thursday – his aim even if the Angels had a full complement of healthy infielders.

“It feels good and if it feels good, it’s hard for me to sit,” Figgins said.

With Maicer Izturis, Howie Kendrick and Erick Aybar all injured, Figgins becomes an option at the middle infield spots. But that is not an avenue Angels manager Mike Scioscia wants to go down.

“If we have to tap into Figgy’s versatility, we will,” Scioscia said. “But right now, he’s our starting third baseman.”

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