The Los Angeles Angels place six players on the D.L.
The Angels have placed six players on the 15-day D.L. to start the 2011 season. Starting 1B Kendrys Morales will start the season on the D.L. as he has been slow to recover from left ankle surgery that he had last year. He also has soreness in his left big toe which has caused him to not be able to do to much in spring training. Rookie Mark Trumbo will replace Morales in the starting lineup until he’s ready to return to action. Righty starting pitcher Joel Pineiro will start the 2011 season on the D.L. due to right shoulder tightness. He will only likely miss a start or two as long as he doesn’t have a setback. Lefty reliever Scott Downs was placed on the D.L. due to a left broken big toe. With Hisanori Takahashi will take over as the Angels’ top lefty in the pen until Downs is ready to return to action. Outfielder Reggie Willits will start the year on the D.L. with a left calf strain. This hurts the Angels as Willits can play everywhere in the outfield. Infielder Freddy Sandoval wasn’t likely going to make the Angels anyway but he starts the year on the D.L. with a left oblique strain. He will likely get sent to the minors after he gets healthy. Righty reliever Bobby Cassevah has a case of right shoulder inflammation which is the reason that he will start the year on the D.L. Like Sandoval, Cassevah will likely start his season in the minors when he returns to health.