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Come back, Howie, come back

July 3rd, 2009, 11:13 pm · 9 Comments · posted by BILL PLUNKETT, OCREGISTER.COM

ANAHEIM

Three weeks after being told to go sit in a corner and think about what he’s done, the Angels are recalling Howie Kendrick from Triple-A Salt Lake.howie-hitting1

Infielder Sean Rodriguez was optioned back to Salt Lake following Friday’s game to make room for Kendrick.

In 19 games for Salt Lake, Kendrick did exactly what he was supposed to do — rake Triple-A pitching. He was 25 for 74 (.338) with six doubles, a triple, two home runs and 11 RBI.

The Angels are looking for Kendrick to inject a little life into the bottom of their lineup.

“We want Howie to bring the feel he’s had in the batter’s box down in Salt Lake up here and get comfortable,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

Kendrick’s at-bats could come at the expense of shortstop Erick Aybar. Scioscia indicated that he will be inclined to keep Maicer Izturis in the lineup as much as possible even with Kendrick back. That could mean starts at second base and shortstop for Izturis.

Izturis was 3 for 4 with an RBI double in Friday night’s loss and is batting .395 (15 for 38) over his past 10 games. In his past 16 starts, Izturis has scored 17 runs and driven in 15.

No word yet on how this move will affect those godawful Howard’s commercials.

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 9 Comments

  • Bobby V says:
    July 3, 2009 at 11:26 pm

    I don’t know if this is bad or good. I woud love to see Aybar on the bench but I lost my confidence in Howie. I would rather see Figgy at second, Izzy at short and give his shot at thrid base.

    Post Reply
  • Bobby V says:
    July 3, 2009 at 11:28 pm

    I would rather see Figgy at second, Izzy at short and give *Wood a shot at thrid base.

    Post Reply
  • quinlan's goofy swing says:
    July 3, 2009 at 11:45 pm

    FINALLY!

    Never should have been sent down in the first place, but what can I say, I like the guy. I hope he gets to play every day, platoon aybar and maicer … with 70% Maicer to keep his hamstrings happy.

    Post Reply
    • Fred Fredrix says:
      July 4, 2009 at 9:10 am

      If hamstrings are the issue then it’s Howie who needs to be platooned because he was on the DL twice last year for hammies. Izzy was out once with his lower back and then out for the year with a torn thumb ligament. I wonder if Howie’s still gonna be brain-dead on the bases. 2nd place here we come.

      Post Reply
      • quinlan's goofy swing says:
        July 4, 2009 at 4:43 pm

        Hate to break it to you, but Howie is near the bottom of the team when it comes to running mistakes.

        As for Izturis’ hamstrings, and health concerns in general it’s not IF, it’s a matter of when :

        October 10, 2008 Missed the last 44 games of the regular season and 4 playoff games (thumb injury).
        June 28, 2008 Missed 5 games (hamstring).
        June 22, 2008 Hamstring, day-to-day.
        July 2, 2007 Missed 36 games (hamstring).
        May 23, 2007 Hamstring, 15-day DL.
        May 15, 2007 Missed 14 games (right hamstring injury).
        May 3, 2007 Right hamstring injury, 15-day DL.
        May 1, 2007 Right hamstring injury, day-to-day.
        August 15, 2006 Missed 1 game (hamstring).
        August 14, 2006 Hamstring, day-to-day.
        August 8, 2006 Missed 1 game (right hamstring injury).
        August 7, 2006 Right hamstring injury, day-to-day.
        June 9, 2006 Missed 40 games (left hamstring injury).
        April 24, 2006 Left hamstring injury, 15-day DL.
        June 17, 2005 Missed 46 games (sprained left MCL).
        April 27, 2005 Sprained left MCL, 15-day DL (retroactive to April 26th).
        February 25, 2005 Re-signed by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to a one-year contract.
        November 19, 2004 Anaheim Angels traded Jose Guillen to the Washington/Montreal Expos for Juan Rivera and Maicer Izturis.

        Post Reply
  • Rob McMillin says:
    July 4, 2009 at 1:09 am

    Howie Kendrick could hit. Howard? Not so much.

    Post Reply
  • Ripcurl says:
    July 4, 2009 at 2:54 am

    Can we hire Bob Murray of the Ducks to help build the Angels? Reagins, like his predecessor, has no imagination and guts to build an elite team. I understand the team’s war cries are patience and fortitude, but this “uber-conservatism” is absolutely absurd. Sprinkle in some Teixeira-type-risks once in a while, fellas! If you’re willing to take risks on high school prospects in every draft, why not employ that doctrine (high risk, high return) in other areas of your operations?

    Post Reply
  • Jake Logan says:
    July 4, 2009 at 1:55 pm

    I don’t know how much Howards is paying Scioscia and Kendrick but it’s not enough. If you’re gonna make a complete fool of yourself it’s gotta be in the millions. Not to mention having to sit through those things every night Ugh.
    I think we might see a platoon with Howie playing 2nd against lefties and Aybar playing short against righties, with Izzy playing every night. At least for a little while.

    Post Reply

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