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Archive for the 'Kelvim Escobar' Tag

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Padres put Peavy on the market

October 17th, 2008, 10:59 am by BILL PLUNKETT, OCREGISTER.COM

If the Angels choose not to re-sign potential free agent Jon Garland, they will be in the market for a starting pitcher this off-season to fill out their rotation. (And, no, Kelvim Escobar is not a candidate. He is expected to be out until at least mid-season recovering from shoulder surgery — and could very well return in a bullpen role when he does.)

Apparently, CC Sabathia will not be the only Cy Young option available. After a disastrous finish this season, the San Diego Padres are exploring the possibility of trading their ace, right-hander Jake Peavy.

While Sabathia will be a free agent this winter and is expected to draw mega-million dollar offers from the Yankees among others, Peavy is signed through the next four seasons at what passes for reasonable salaries for a former Cy Young Award winner (starting at $11 million next season up to $17 million in 2012).

The problem is that same contract also includes a no-trade clause so Peavy can dictate where he goes. Tom Krasovic reports in this story in the San Diego Union-Tribune that Peavy’s agent, Barry Axelrod, indicated Peavy has a decided preference for staying in the National League — though the Angels’ status as a perennial contender and close proximity to Peavy’s home north of San Diego make them a possible candidate.

Before you get too excited, keep this in mind — the Padres will be seeking an ace’s ransomfor Peavy to jump start their rebuilding plans. A package of spare parts won’t get it done. The Angels would have to part with a handful of prospects and proven major-leaguers — a package every bit as attractive as they offered for Miguel Cabrera a year ago. (Think Howie Kendrick, Joe Saunders, Reggie Willits and Nick Adenhart.)

Posted in: Angels • • | 1 Comment »

Angels start setting up rotation for playoffs

September 11th, 2008, 7:44 pm by BILL PLUNKETT, OCREGISTER.COM

Now that the division has been clinched, manager Mike Scioscia said the Angels have “some things we’re going to do to our rotation to let guys refresh.”

Scioscia said John Lackey (whose most recent start came on Saturday in Chicago) will not start again until Tuesday in Oakland, giving him nine days off between starts. Ervin Santana will start Sunday in the homestand finale then get “a week off,” according to Scioscia.

The changes will create the need for at least one spot start down the stretch (on Sept. 20 in Texas) with Dustin Moseley and Shane Loux (eligible to come off the disabled list on Sunday) the candidates on hand.

It also sets Lackey and Santana up to pitch Games 1 and 2 of a first-round playoff series with Saunders and Garland (in that order) behind them. Jered Weaver remains the most likely candidate from the starting rotation to move to the bullpen for the first round.

Posted in: Angels • Mike Scioscia • • • • • • • | 1 Comment »

No Mandatory English in baseball clubhouses

August 26th, 2008, 1:52 pm by BILL PLUNKETT, OCREGISTER.COM

Ten days ago, Angels  shortstop Erick Aybar made a spectacular catch at Progressive Field in Cleveland, robbing Ryan Garko of a game-changing bloop hit with the bases loaded.

When reporters asked to talk with Aybar about the play after the game, he turned to teammate and fellow Dominican Ervin Santana to act as translator.

Like most of the Spanish-speaking players on the Angels — Aybar, Vladimir Guerrero, Juan Rivera, Maicer Izturis — Aybar speaks and understands some English. But he doesn’t feel comfortable enough in his second language to conduct an interview. Santana, Francisco Rodriguez, Jose Arredondo and Kelvim Escobar do.

None of us are really sure what language Justin Speier speaks so an interpreter hasn’t been found.

This report indicates the LPGA is planning to suspend players who cannot pass an English skills evaluation test.

The LPGA’s issue seems to center on the growing number of Asian golfers.

Baseball is guilty of a double standard in this regard. Nearly all of the Japanese players that have broken into the big leagues in recent seasons have had a translator provided for them who travels with the team — even after that player has picked up our language.

I remember many times while covering the Dodgers when Hideo Nomo or Kaz Ishii would begin to answer the question even before the interpreter had translated it into Japanese.

The translator relationship (Japanese or Spanish) is often used by players to keep the media at arm’s length.

The Angels do not provide a translator for their Spanish-speaking players who instead turn to broadcaster Jose Mota, coach Alfredo Griffin or video coordinator Diego Lopez to translate in interview situations. Many teams provide English lessons for minor-league players from Latin America though most learn what English they know either from teammates or by watching TV.

Posted in: Angels • Francisco Rodriguez • Vladimir Guerrero • • • • • • • • • | Post a Comment »

Decisions, decisions — trade adds to Angels’ busy off-season

July 30th, 2008, 12:14 pm by BILL PLUNKETT, OCREGISTER.COM

In his first nine months on the job, Angels GM Tony Reagins has already made three decisive moves that could result in the franchise’s second World Series title — trading shortstop Orlando Cabrera for pitcher Jon Garland last fall, signing centerfielder Torii Hunter as a free agent and now acquiring first baseman Mark Teixeira in mid-season.

Those moves have only added to what promises to be a busy (and expensive) off-season for Reagins and the Angels. Here is how it breaks down:

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Posted in: Angels • Francisco Rodriguez • Vladimir Guerrero • • • • • • • • • • • • • | 2 Comments »

Angels’ 2nd half — Five things that must happen

July 17th, 2008, 4:38 pm by BILL PLUNKETT, OCREGISTER.COM

The Angels return from the All-Star break to face the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox this weekend.

It’s an appropriate opponent, a handy reminder of how the Angels’ seasons have ended recently — with three disappointing playoff defeats at the hands of the eventual World Series champs (the Red Sox in 2004 and 2007, the White Sox in 2005).

If the Angels are going to write a different ending to this year’s story, here are ‘Five Things  That Must Happen’ in the second half of the season:

(Check back here tomorrow for ‘Five Things That Won’t Happen’ in the second half.)

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Posted in: Angels • Mike Scioscia • Vladimir Guerrero • • • • • • | 3 Comments »

Escobar will have surgery, miss season

July 11th, 2008, 5:44 pm by Ellen Bell, Afternoon Angel

Kelvim Escobar has opted to have surgery on the torn labrum in his right shoulder.

The procedure will be performed in the next two weeks by Dr. David Altcheck, the New York Mets’ orthopedist. The right-hander will be be out for nine months to a year.

”He attempted two rehab stints, failed both of those,” General Manager Tony Reagins said. ”Surgery was the last option and that’s where we are.”

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Angels vs. Rangers

July 7th, 2008, 4:17 pm by BILL PLUNKETT, OCREGISTER.COM

No news on the Joe Saunders, Mike Napoli or Kelvim Escobar fronts yet.

Saunders said everything is “still on hold” with his wife’s pregnancy. “She hasn’t had any contractions yet or anything,” he said. So it looks like he will make his scheduled start on Tuesday here.

On the injury front, Napoli was examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum Monday and had an MRI on his sore right shoulder back in California. Angels manager Mike Scioscia said he has not heard any report from the exam yet.

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Posted in: Angels • Casey Kotchman • Mike Scioscia • Vladimir Guerrero • • • • • • • • • • • • • • | 3 Comments »

Escobar shoulders another setback

July 4th, 2008, 4:59 pm by Al Balderas, staff writer

Kelvim Escobar arrived at Angel Stadium on Friday feeling no pain in his right shoulder.

That non-feeling didn’t last long.

Escobar tried to play catch on the outfield grass during batting practice but had to give up after only a few minutes.

“It’s not good,” he said. “It’s painful. I only threw…not even 10 pitches. It didn’t feel right.”

Escobar doesn’t know what his next step will be but he did move one pace closer to opting for surgery. He would like to meet with Dr. David Altchek, next week in New York as he continues his search for answers.

“Something has to be done,” Escobar said. “Something is causing inflammation in there.”

ANGELS’ LINEUP

Chone Figgins, 3B

Casey Kotchman, 1B

Maicer Izturis, SS

Vladimir Guerrero, RF

Torii Hunter, CF

Garret Anderson, DH

Gary Matthews Jr., LF

Howie Kendrick, 2B

Jeff Mathis, C

Jered Weaver, RHP (7-8, 4.30)

BLUE JAYS’ LINEUP

Marco Scutaro, SS

Joe Inglett, 2B

Alex Rios, RF

Vernon Wells, CF

Matt Stairs, DH

Scott Rolen, 3B

Rod Barajas, C

Lyle Overbay, 1B

Adam Lind, LF

A.J. Burnett, RHP (8-7, 4.74)

Posted in: Angels • | 1 Comment »

Escobar might have re-injured his right shoulder

July 1st, 2008, 5:07 pm by Al Balderas, staff writer

Kelvim Escobar arrived at Angel Stadium on Tuesday afternoon complaining that the pain in his right shoulder had returned.

Escobar has been rehabbing the shoulder since March, when he was diagnosed with a torn labrum.

He threw 39 pitches in a rehab assignment Monday at Rancho Cucamonga but said that the shoulder has been bothering him since the three-inning stint.

“This morning it was just painful,” Escobar said. “It was not like normal soreness after you pitch.

“Everything was going well but from my last start (last week in Tempe) until last night’s game, it seems like I lost everything I’ve been doing for the last five months.”

Escobar admitted that he had a hard time getting loose for his start at Rancho Cucamonga but didn’t think it was anything serious at the time.

“I’m kind of going through spring training and sometimes that happens in spring training,” he said. “I did well in the game but after that I didn’t feel comfortable. It got worse last night before I went to bed. It’s painful.”

Escobar is scheduled to be examined by team orthopedist, Dr. Lewis Yocum, later today.
He has yet to pitch for the Angels this season and was hoping to be back on the roster after the All-Star break.

Posted in: Angels • | 1 Comment »

Angels vs. Nationals (Tuesday)

June 24th, 2008, 3:02 pm by BILL PLUNKETT, OCREGISTER.COM

No signs of rain today. Some quick injury updates:

** Maicer Izturis said his hamstring is probably “about 70 percent” after going through some agility drills before the game. Izturis has not run the bases to test it since leaving Saturday’s game in the third inning. He said he expects to be ready to play again by the weekend series against the Dodgers and will test it by running the bases before Friday’s game.

In the meantime, manager Mike Scioscia said Izturis is available to pinch-hit if needed.

** Chris Bootcheck was scheduled to throw two simulated innings at the Angels’ extended spring complex in Tempe today. Bootcheck is on the disabled list with a forearm strain.

** Kelvim Escobar’s rehab start for the Angels’ Arizona Summer League team in Tempe will be tomorrow, not Thursday as originally scheduled. Scioscia said Escobar came out of Saturday’s simulated game feeling so good that the appearance was moved up a day. He is scheduled to throw two innings (30 pitches).

And the lineups (with the same first seven for the Angels as last night):

3B Chone Figgins

SS Erick Aybar

LF Garret Anderson

RF Vladimir Guerrero

CF Torii Hunter

1B Casey Kotchman

2B Howie Kendrick

C  Mike Napoli

P Jon Garland

And for the Nationals (who have fewer victories than Francisco Rodriguez has saves):

SS Cristian Guzman

RF Elijah Dukes

CF Lastings Milledge

1B Dmitri Young

C  Jesus Flores

3B Ronnie Belliard

LF Paul Lo Duca

2B Willie Harris

P Shawn Hill

Posted in: Angels • Casey Kotchman • Francisco Rodriguez • Mike Scioscia • Vladimir Guerrero • • • • • • • • • • • • • | Post a Comment »

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