Following up on the overblown reports about Hank Conger’s injury … I remembered today another Angels minor league catcher who had similar experiences in his career a few years ago.

In 2000, his rookie season, he played only ten games in rookie ball due to a lower back strain. Conger had a similar injury last year.

In 2003, he missed most of the season after undergoing surgery on his throwing shoulder for a torn labrum, an injury apparently more severe than what’s reported for Conger.

That catcher was Mike Napoli.

For reasons unfathomable to me, some people out there want to spin a hysterical fantasy that Conger’s career is over as a catcher. All one has to do is look at Mike Napoli and see that the people peddling this tale have no idea what they’re talking about.

Jordan Renz is congratulated by Travs manager Bobby Magallanes after homering in today’s spring training game against the Oakland A’s Double-A squad.

Beginning with the rumor du jour …

I spoke with Hank Conger this morning about the rumors that appeared in yesterday’s Orange County Register and Rotoworld.com suggesting he faced surgery and a season lost if his labrum injury doesn’t improve in the next couple weeks.

Hank’s physical condition is his business — that’s not my opinion, it’s the law — so I won’t discuss in public what Hank said. But in summary, it boils down to Hank’s situation is not as dire as reported.

I’ll refer you to this article on MLB.com, which concludes:

"You have to be excited about his upside," Scioscia said. "His shoulder has him a little behind, but he should be fine. He’s very intelligent, and he’s come a long way behind the plate. He has terrific power from both sides."

That about sums it up. He’s a little behind, but he should be fine.

On to today’s exhibition games.

I wrote down the lineups for the Triple-A and Double-A games, but those turned out to be bupkis when Robb Quinlan walked up. The Angels sent over Robb and Reggie Willits to play in the Triple-A game, and Bobby Wilson to catch scheduled starting pitcher Joe Saunders.

Saunders was scheduled to pitch the first five innings, followed by Jason Bulger, but when Joe was done it was Rich Thompson who pitched the next two innings. We never saw Bulger.

So this was the starting lineup, I think:

SALT LAKE

1. Reggie Willits CF
2. Gary Patchett SS
3. Sean Rodriguez DH
4. Matt Brown 1B
5. Robb Quinlan 3B
6. Bobby Wilson C
7. Adam Pavkovich 2B
8. Raymi Dicent LF
9. Aaron Peel RF

The Double-A lineup was something like this:

ARKANSAS

1. Cody Fuller CF
2. Nate Sutton 2B
3. Pat Reilly DH
4. Jesse Hoorelbeke 1B
5. Jordan Renz RF
6. Cliff Remole 1B
7. Tim Duff C
8. Matt Pali RF
9. Larry Infante SS

Flint Wipke was listed as the starting catcher, but Duff took the field. Wipke played in the later innings.

Miguel Gonzalez was the starting pitcher, followed by Francisco M. Rodriguez (not the big-league Frankie, last year’s Rancho pitcher), David Austen, Baron Short, Von Stertzbach and Kevin Jepsen. Or at least that was the list before the game.

Click Here to watch video highlights of the day. You need Windows Media Player and a broadband Internet connection (cable modem, DSL) to watch.

Among the highlights, you’ll see Reggie Willits’ leadoff double, then he steals third, and later scores on a triple by Matt Brown. You’ll also see Joe Saunders strike out two batters.

I was shooting still photography when Jordan Renz homered for the Double-A lineup. It was an impressive shot to left-center field.

I head home in the morning with plenty of video and photography in storage. Eventually they’ll appear on-line at www.futureangels.com.

Mike Scioscia talks with pitcher Tommy Mendoza and catcher Hank Conger after their bullpen session.

Rumors of Hank Conger’s demise are premature.

Apparently it started with a blog entry by Orange County Register sportswriter Bill Plunkett. He wrote:

I noticed Hank Conger warming up pitchers in one of the bullpens. Conger was catching the pitches — and then flipping the ball under-handed to a coach standing nearby who would throw it back to the pitcher.

Not a good sign.

During a break, I went up to Conger and asked him why he wasn’t throwing. Turns out he has a slight tear of the labrum in his right shoulder.

The shoulder has been bothering him since early in spring training. Invited to the major-league camp to start the spring, his throwing was limited. When the discomfort continued after he was re-assigned to the minor-league camp, Conger underwent an MRI which revealed the tear.

He has begun a rehabilitation program that could last as long as four weeks, meaning he will most likely miss the start of the minor-league season and stay behind at the extended spring training camp in Tempe. Surgery remains a possibility at some point.

The Angels’ first-round pick in 2005, Conger has already had to deal with wrist and back issues in his first two professional seasons.

Citing the Register blog, the fantasy baseball site Rotoworld.com overreacted and posted:

Conger is expected to rehab for a month before attempting a return. Depending on how the strengthening program takes, he could undergo surgery that would likely cost him the rest of the season. The lost year would likely be very significant to his development, and it shows that the Angels might have guessed wrong when they opted to develop him as a catcher. There’s a good chance he’ll end up at first base or DH anyway, and that wear and tear associated with catching could prevent him from reaching his ceiling as a hitter.

To quote Drew Barrymore in E.T., "Give me a break."

An athlete who throws a lot suffers a slight labrum tear and that’s definitive proof the team "guessed wrong" developing him at that position?!

Joe Saunders had a much more severe labrum tear and missed the entire 2003 season. Did the Angels "guess wrong" developing him as a pitcher?!

What a stupid thing to say.

Nevertheless, I’m already seeing hysterical overreactions on Angels fan boards who think a roto web site knows more about developing ballplayers than the professionals with decades of experience in the game.

For the record, I watched Hank this morning engage in a full range of workouts. He took batting practice, he participated in catcher fielding drills, he caught Tommy Mendoza in the bullpen. Afterwards, Hank and Tommy met with Angels manager Mike Scioscia and minor league pitching instructor Kernan Ronan.

I didn’t see anyone giving Hank the Last Rites.

That said, a fan told me yesterday he’d heard that rumor, but it must not be that big a deal if Hank is participating full-time in drills. I will ask Hank myself tomorrow if I get the chance and if he’s willing to talk about it. But let’s not get all hysterical and declare his catching career over until all the facts are in.

Scioscia, pitching coach Mike Butcher, and much of the front office were in attendance because the parent club had the day off. Jon Garland started the Triple-A game and gave up three runs in five innings. Mike Napoli caught Garland and then exited.

The starting lineup for the Salt Lake game was:

SALT LAKE

1. Nathan Haynes CF
2. Hainley Statia SS
3. Mike Napoli C
4. Matt Brown DH
5. Terry Evans RF
6. Brandon Wood 3B
7. Chris Pettit LF
8. Freddy Sandoval 1B
9. Sean Rodriguez 2B

… with Garland as the starting pitcher. He was followed by Brok Butcher for three innings, then Rafael Rodriguez pitched a scoreless 9th.

The Arkansas starting lineup was:

ARKANSAS

1. Josh LeBlanc CF
2. Cliff Remole DH
3. Ben Johnson C
4. Corey Smith 3B
5. Michael Collins 1B
6. Drew Toussaint LF
7. Matt Pali RF
8. Ryan Leahy 2B
9. Kevin Ramos SS

… with Shane Loux the starting pitcher. He was followed by Fernando Rodriguez, Robert Mosebach, and Kevin Jepsen.

As I warned yesterday, don’t take these lineups too seriously. It’s way too early for assignments to the various affiliates, and as players are returned from big league camp you can expect a domino effect, with players at upper levels being pushed down a level or two.

Click Here to watch video highlights from today’s games. The pitcher/catcher battery is Garland and Napoli. You’ll also see Scioscia talking to Mendoza and the moribund Mr. Conger (if you believe the roto site).

Tomorrow is my last day at camp, then I return home on Wednesday.

The winds tore the batter’s eye on one of the minor league practice fields.

My first day in minor league camp is always the most memorable.

Or forgettable.

Forgettable in the sense that nearly 150 players are in camp, and many uniform numbers are worn by two or even three players, and I’m trying to put all those faces back together with their names. I know them, they know me, but neither of us is really sure who we really are, so we just kinda nod and try to remember who each other is.

But it’s always memorable because I get to see friends after six months, all those players and coaches gathered in one place, knowing that in a couple weeks they’ll scatter to all corners of the baseball globe.

Most of the upper-level players are over at major league camp, so minor league rosters right now have no meaningful resemblance to what their Opening Day lineups will look like. But for what it’s worth, here were the lineups for today’s Quakes and Kernels games.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA
1. Stantrel Smith LF
2. P.J. Phillips SS
3. Jeff LaRue 1B
4. Tadd Brewer 2B
5. Abel Nieves 3B
6. Rian Kiniry CF
7. Greg Dini C
8. Anderson Rosario RF
9. Tyler Mann DH

David Herndon started for Rancho Cucamonga.

CEDAR RAPIDS
1. Anthony Norman LF
2. Hector Estrella 3B
3. D’Andre Miller CF
4. Gordie Gronkowski 1B
5. Donato Giovanatto DH
6. Tyler Johnson RF
7. Jerry Gonzalez 2B
8. Chris Rosenbaum C
9. Carlos Colmenares SS

Trevor Reckling started for Cedar Rapids.

The predicted scattered thunderstorms gave us a pass for the most part, other than the occasional sprinkle. But it was quite cool and windy at times. I noticed a batter’s eye on one of the practice fields was torn so a City of Tempe service truck had to repair it in the afternoon while the games were played on two other fields.

Click Here to watch March 16 minor league spring training highlights. You need Windows Media Player and a broadband Internet connection (cable modem, DSL) to watch.

Quakes broadcaster Jeff Levering was in town and recorded an interview with Angels farm director Abe Flores that will air later in the year on a Quakes pre-game show. But both agreed to let me videotape the interview, so Click Here to watch the interview.

Today’s Riverside Press-Enterprise reports:

Jon Garland, who allowed three runs on seven hits in four innings during Wednesday’s 6-3 loss to the Royals, will pitch in a Class AAA game Monday.

I’ll be at minor league camp Sunday-Tuesday to shoot the games, so if this happens look for video footage of Garland’s start Monday evening on FutureAngels.com.

Monday is an off-day for the parent club, so I suspect we’ll see more major leaguers over at the minor league camp. My guess is either Mike Napoli or Jeff Mathis will catch Garland.

It also happens to be St. Patrick’s Day. Some teams do a “green” theme on that day so I’m curious to see if the Angels do anything, but I doubt they’ll spend a dime for the minor league camp to don green caps or will deploy green bases. Ya never know.

On March 11, I posted an article reviewing spring training and how it might affect the prospects.

Now that we’re further down the road, it’s time to take another look and see how things stand.

FIRST BASE — Casey Kotchman has locked down the first base job. He’s batting .341 with three homers and two doubles. More importantly, he’s healthy. Give him a full season of good health and all the naysayers will be proven wrong.

Howie Kendrick is lighting up the Cactus League.

SECOND BASE — Howie Kendrick is batting .400 with three doubles, two triples and two homers. Neither Kotchman or Kendrick are eligible for the Rookie of the Year award, but by September many Angels fans will wish they were.

SHORTSTOP — Orlando Cabrera will be the shortstop barring injury, with Maicer Izturis the backup. The Angels are giving Erick Aybar every opportunity to make the roster as a utility player, viewing him as the possible eventual successor to Cabrera.

THIRD BASE — Chone Figgins broke a finger and it’s estimated that he’ll be out five to six weeks. Maicer Izturis and Robb Quinlan will hold the fort, with an outside possibility you’ll see Shea Hillenbrand there once or twice. Brandon Wood and Matt Brown are not an option; they still have work to do in the minors.

LEFT FIELD — Garret Anderson is batting .458. Those who’ve been trashing him because his numbers dropped due to injury are going to look pretty foolish if he stays healthy all year. Erick Aybar played LF in a game earlier this week, giving him another opportunity to make the roster as a utility player.

The Angels are giving Erick Aybar every opportunity to make the Opening Night roster.

CENTER FIELD — Gary Matthews Jr. is 11 for 40 with three extra-base hits (all homers). Now that he’s issued the "statement" demanded by Arte Moreno regarding the report he once ordered human growth hormone, the media seems to have lost interest and Matthews is free to concentrate on baseball. Aybar, Reggie Willits and Tommy Murphy have been competing for what were thought to be only two available slots, but with Figgins’ injury all three might make the Opening Night roster.

RIGHT FIELD — Vlad Guerrero is only 9 for 36 with one homer but all he has to do is get ready for the season. Murphy and Willits have a little RF experience, with veteran Curtis Pride in the mix if he’s needed.

CATCHER — A news story surfaced suggesting the Angels might be shopping Jose Molina, but I doubt it. That would leave Mike Napoli and Jeff Mathis as the big-league catchers, and neither has proven he can handle the job over the long haul. I still think it’ll be Jose Molina and either Napoli or Mathis; at this point, it looks like Napoli’s bat will trump Mathis’ superior defense, so look for Jeff to return to Triple-A Salt Lake where he’ll play full-time. Mathis needs to step it up at the plate; with Molina slated for free agency after the season, the Angels will need him in 2008.

STARTING ROTATION — John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar, and Ervin Santana remain healthy. Jered Weaver has been building up his pitch count, but it looks like he’ll miss one or two starts before he’ll join the parent club in April. Bartolo Colon seems to be ahead of schedule, but Joe Saunders will be in the rotation until both Weaver and Colon return. News reports have either Dustin Moseley or Hector Carrasco the leading candidates to fill the fifth slot until Weaver and Colon are ready.

BULLPEN — Many candidates remain for the one available bullpen slot. Moseley and Chris Bootcheck would seem to be the leading candidates, although others such as Chris Resop and Marcus Gwyn remain in the mix. This one should go down to the wire.

Hopefully this weekend I’ll start posting photos from my minor league camp trip. When you include hotel, gas, and other expenses, it probably cost me somewhere around $700. If you enjoy all the content on FutureAngels.com, please consider a donation or voluntary subscription. So far I’ve received $150 in donations for 2007, which is exceptionally generous. The donations not only help with the travel costs but also the addition of new features such as this blog, the bulletin board and the polls. Sales of the photos help a little but it’s never enough. So if you want to see more, please consider helping out.

This article is copyright © 2007 Wordsmith Resources and FutureAngels.com. It may not be used elsewhere without the prior expressed written permission of the author.

Nick Green started for the Arkansas squad on March 20.

The final day of my photos from minor league camp are now on-line at:

www.futureangels.com/tempe/springphotos.aspx

With the parent club playing a night game tonight cross-town at Peoria against the Padres, the Angels assigned some of their major league camp players to the Salt Lake roster for today’s game against the Giants’ Triple-A squad.

Jose Molina caught the first half of the game. Kendry Morales played most of the game at first base. Also in the lineup were Nathan Haynes in center field, Terry Evans in right field, Nick Gorneault in left field, Sean Rodriguez at shortstop and Brandon Wood at third base.

Phil Seibel, acquired over the winter from the Red Sox for Brendan Donnelly, pitched the first two innings for Salt Lake. He was followed by Kevin Jepsen, Felipe Arredondo, Vladimir Veras and Matt Reilly. None of those guys will be with Salt Lake this year. They were just filling out the roster for the day.

On the Arkansas side, Nick Green got the start. He’s a real sleeper, starting with his "plus" changeup. He could see Triple-A Salt Lake by the end of the year.

In the lineup for the Arkansas roster were many 2006 Quakes — Freddy Sandoval, Michael Collins, Ben Johnson, Pat Reilly, Nate SUtton, and the Fuller brothers, Cody and Clay.

With the Angels playing tonight, several parent club coaches came by. Mike Scioscia (who’s lost weight, boys and girls), Mike Butcher, and Dino Ebel were there.

In the morning, I recorded an interview with farm director Tony Reagins. The interview should be on FutureAngels.com in the next couple days. I also collected materials for the next FutureAngels.com Radio podcast at the end of the month.

We drive home to Orange County in the morning, so I’ll be off-line most of the day.

This article is copyright © 2007 Wordsmith Resources and FutureAngels.com. It may not be used elsewhere without the prior expressed written permission of the author.

Jered Weaver threw a simulated game session today.

Another day of photos from minor league camp are now on-line at:

www.futureangels.com/tempe/springphotos.aspx

Among other things, you’ll see a photo of Jered Weaver throwing his simulated game.  Most of the Angels brass was in attendance, including Bill Stoneman, Mike Scioscia, Mike Butcher and more.  Bobby Wilson caught the session, with right-handed batter Michael Collins and left-handed batter Brad Coon alternating in the box.  Four or five minor leaguers were scattered in the outfield to shag balls.

This was strictly for exercise, not to pitch in actual game conditions, so Weaver wasn’t trying to blow away anyone.  But on his final pitch, he took his time and painted the inside corner at the knees.

Stoneman and Scioscia spent quite some time watching the various minor league workouts in the morning.  You’ll see a photo of Scioscia talking with minor league field coordinator Bruce Hines.  Unlike many organizations, the Angels are very disciplined about the entire organization being on the same page when it cames to the way they play the game.  I’ve heard the minor league managers and coaches many times tell players to do something the way Scioscia wants it.  So it’s not the least bit surprising that he’d be there on an off-day.  Pitching coach Mike Butcher and third base coach Dino Ebel also put in an appearance.

It seemed like rehab day on the mound.  Mitch Arnold and Bobby Cassevah, both coming back from Tommy John surgery, threw in games.  I also got to see Warner Madrigal pitch the 9th for the Rancho Cucamonga team.  Madrigal was originally a power-hitting outfielder in the lower minors, but after a couple broken hand injuries and a lot of unfulfilled promise at the plate the Angels decided to convert him last year into a reliever.  He’s throwing in the mid-90s and already has a slider and changeup.  He was effective against the Oakland roster he faced, 1-2-3 in the 9th.

There’s an outfielder on the Rancho roster right now named Anthony Norman, who used to play for UCLA.  He was signed in February.  I don’t know his background, so if anyone is familiar with him please chip in.  You’ll see a photo of him making a head-first dive to score in the 1st inning.

All the guys cut yesterday were in camp today.  Got to say hi to Brandon Wood and Nick Adenhart.  Erick Aybar was hanging out later in the day.

As for Korean pitcher Young-Il Jung, I’ve seen an interpreter assigned to him but he seems to spend a lot of time without the interpreter conversing with his teammates.  How much he knows, much less understands, is debatable.

We face the Giants teams tomorrow, then I head home on Wednesday.

This article is copyright © 2007 Wordsmith Resources and FutureAngels.com. It may not be used elsewhere without the prior expressed written permission of the author.

Hank Conger was the Angels’ first-round draft pick in June 2006.

I’m in Tempe for three days to shoot photos and video at minor league camp. I’ll post a few photos each day at this link:

www.futureangels.com/tempe/springphotos.aspx

The video will have to wait until I return to Orange County.

You’ll see Hank Conger and Young-Il Jung in the photos. Jung was the starting pitcher today, and Conger was his catcher. Jung was very wild, and appeared to be on a limited pitch count as he was removed in the second inning. In minor league spring training, a manager can call "roll over" or "switch sides" to end an inning before three outs if his pitcher is exceeding his anticipated pitch count. That’s what happened to Jung in the 2nd, and he didn’t start the 3rd. I doubt he was hurt, as he came out later and joined his teammates in the bleachers to watch the rest of the game. (Something in Korean was handwritten under the bill of his cap.)

WIth a runner on 3rd in the top of the 1st, Conger sailed a pickoff throw down the 3rd base line.

Because the parent club had a split-squad day, and the Triple-A and Double-A teams were on the road, there were very few "name" players at the minor league camp for this afternoon’s games.

Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg is managing the Cubs’ Low-A Peoria team this year. He coached third base today in the game Jung and Conger played in for the "Cedar Rapids" squad.

This was my first visit to the new minor league complex. As many people know, the Angels’ had a separate minor league complex in Mesa from 1984 through 2005. It was like going from a Mini-Cooper to an Escalade. I miss the intimacy of Gene Autry Park, but it was pretty obvious how handy this is for the parent club. Announcements were made over the P.A. for players to report to Tempe Diablo Stadium across the parking lot when they were needed for the split-squad game.

Tomorrow is an off-day for the parent club but the minor league complex is in full swing, so I’m curious to see whether Moreno, Stoneman, Scioscia and crew spend the day at minor league camp or take the day to go smell the roses … By the way, the temperature has approached 100 degrees yesterday and today. Oh, and regular gas is about $2.65 – $2.70 a gallon. Their price isn’t as high because they don’t pay extra for all the additional refining to keep the air clean and the gas tax is lower. If you’re driving out, it’s always a handy tip to try to gas up after you cross the border into Arizona, and on the way back to do so just before re-entering California.

This article is copyright © 2007 Wordsmith Resources and FutureAngels.com. It may not be used elsewhere without the prior expressed written permission of the author.

We’re about one-third of the way through major league spring training camp, so let’s review where things stand with decisions affecting prospects.

Casey Kotchman will be at the bat many times this year if his health holds up.

FIRST BASE — Casey Kotchman hit a monster homer today to right field, and it’s starting to look like he’ll have a lock on the job come Opening Night. Kendry Morales hasn’t embarrassed himself either, but he still has work to do in the minors. Let’s not forget that Kendry has been playing pro ball for only a year and a half. If Casey nails the first base position, I wouldn’t be surprised if Kendry is moved at Triple-A Salt Lake to a corner outfield position this year to give him more versatility with the parent club when he finally arrives.

SECOND BASE — Howie Kendrick today muffed a grounder up the middle in the top of the 1st but otherwise has shown he’s capable of playing a major league second base. Offensively, he ended the day with a .500 average.

SHORTSTOP — Orlando Cabrera isn’t going anywhere. Maicer Izturis will be the utility infielder, with Erick Aybar being given every opportunity to make the club as well as a second utility player. It’s more likely that Erick will return to Salt Lake and play shortstop, with the center field idea shelved unless Arte Moreno somehow succeeds in banishing Gary Matthews Jr.

THIRD BASE — It’ll be Chone Figgins unless something goes bad. Brandon Wood twisted an ankle last week when he stepped on a bat in foul territory, but he returned to action today in the split-squad game at Surprise against the Rangers. Matt Brown has impressed in limited opportunities, but it looks like he’ll return to Double-A Arkansas with Wood playing 3B in Salt Lake.

LEFT FIELD — Garret Anderson looks healthy. He stole a base today in his first at-bat, showing last year’s foot injury is long gone.

Once a shortstop, Tommy Murphy could make the parent club roster as a spare outfielder.

CENTER FIELD — Gary Matthews Jr. hasn’t posted impressive numbers, but it’s foolish to judge veterans players by the first ten days of spring training. As we all know, he’s being pressured by his employer to give public testimony about his alleged ordering of human growth hormone in August 2004, testimony that could be used against him in court. Moreno brought in Commissioner Bud Selig yesterday as backup, and at the top of today’s telecast the Angels broadcasters (no doubt under orders) urged Matthews to tell all. Although his lawyers have told him he can’t force Matthews to compromise his rights, Moreno seems to be looking for a way to do so. One option not mentioned in print is to banish Matthews to the minors, which is unlikely but it shouldn’t be dismissed. If something happens to Matthews, then Tommy Murphy or Reggie Willitts would be the leading candidates. One of them will probably make the parent club as a reserve outfielder.

RIGHT FIELD — Vlad Guerrero looks fully recovered from last year’s nagging injuries. Of course, if anything catastrophic happened to Vladi then the Angels would be seriously hosed. With no ETA for Juan Rivera’s recovery, the Angels might want to think about giving Kendry Morales playing time at RF in Salt Lake, but there’s no sign that move is imminent. Veteran outfielder Curtis Pride saw some RF time in today’s game and would be the likely callup, although Murphy and Willitts have also seen RF time in the minors.

CATCHER — The three-way duel for two jobs continues between Jose Molina, Mike Napoli and Jeff Mathis. Molina is a lock unless he gets hurt. Mathis has been the better defender so far, but Napoli has been the better hitter. My guess is Napoli gets the edge unless Mathis comes on strong this month and Napoli tanks.

STARTING ROTATION — John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar, and Ervin Santana are all progressing as expected, although Lackey missed a start due to strep throat and Santana pitched with a neck strain in his last night. Bartolo Colon is rehabbing faster than anticipated, although he’s still only throwing fastballs in bullpen sessions. Jered Weaver is doing the same, although he’s expected to be ready sooner. Joe Saunders will be in the rotation until both of those guys are ready and then return to Triple-A, with Hector Carrasco the probable spot starter. Looking ahead at potential rehab starts in April, Salt Lake is at home April 5-12, then in Las Vegas April 13-16 and Tucson April 17-20, so it’s entirely plausible that Colon and/or Weaver could rehab with the Triple-A team instead of Rancho Cucamonga.

BULLPEN — Not many job opportunities here. Francisco Rodriguez, Scot Shields, Justin Speier are all locks, and probably Hector Carrasco and Darren Oliver too. That leaves one opening with many candidates. Chris Resop and Phil Seibel pitched today in the split-squad game against Oakland, but neither particularly took charge. Chris Bootcheck pitched two scoreless innings in the split-squad game against the Rangers. Also in the mix are Matt Hensley, Greg Jones, Marcus Gwyn and Dustin Moseley. Right now, Bootcheck is the only one who’s been effective, although Moseley pitched five scoreless innings yesterday in a split-squad start against the Rangers … The Triple-A bullpen will be well-stocked. Along with whomever doesn’t make the parent club, Jason Bulger returns along with Matt Wilhite and Alex Serrano.

I’ll be at minor league camp March 18-20, so look for another update after I return. For those unfamiliar with FutureAngels.com, I run it alone without any financial support from the Angels or their minor league affiliates. I’ll be returning with plenty photos, audio and video of the minor leaguers, some of which I might be able to post same-day from the hotel in Tempe. As with everything else on the web site, I can only do as much as the site financially sustains.

If you enjoy the site’s contents, please consider a donation or voluntary subscription. So far I’ve received $150 in donations for 2007, which is exceptionally generous. The donations not only help with the travel costs but also the addition of new features such as this blog, the bulletin board and the polls. Sales of the photos help a little but it’s never enough. So if you want to see more, please consider helping out.

This article is copyright © 2007 Wordsmith Resources and FutureAngels.com. It may not be used elsewhere without the prior expressed written permission of the author.