Scioscia ready to roll out regulars in spring games
Angels manager will also look at various lineups during Cactus League play
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Nothing has been officially written on the lineup card, but one near certainty is that Thursday's game, when the Angels begin their Cactus League schedule against the Brewers, will feature a number of regulars.
"When guys are ready to play we're going to start folding them in because you can always back a guy off if he's getting too many at-bats or getting tired, but it's tough to speed them up," manager Mike Scioscia said. "The guys that are ready to get out there and start competing, we'll get them a couple at-bats."
Scioscia will be looking at various lineups throughout the spring. Although spring results aren't the only deciding factor in determining where certain players will hit, it is important to get certain groups of players working together.
"I think it's important to get some of the groupings working as early as you can in the spring so guys get comfortable with who is going to be put in motion in what counts and just the feel, the flow of the lineup," Scioscia said. "You want to get it about what you're working at, but obviously there are too many variables from now until the season to say that's the way you're going to hit or get locked in."
However, some spots are more up for grabs than others.
"I think we've definitely settled, or looking right now, at Mike [Trout] hitting second and Albert [Pujols] hitting third," Scioscia said.
Some additional notes from Monday:
• Scioscia wasn't quite ready to name his starting pitcher for Thursday's game and wanted to get through workouts on Monday and Tuesday before deciding on a starter.
• It rained most of the morning in Tempe, which kept the Angels off the field and in team meetings for the bulk of the day. Pitchers were still able to get some work in off the mound and position players took swings in the indoor cages.
• Angels radio KLAA AM830 has reached a three-year agreement with ESPN Radio.
During March, Angels radio broadcaster Terry Smith will provide daily Spring Training updates from Tempe and all 162 regular-season games will be broadcast on AM830.
"We have enjoyed a terrific association with the Angels over the past few years," Scott McCarthy, vice president and general manager of ESPNLA said in a press release. "We are thrilled to extend and expand our relationship."