Angels' Kennedy, McPherson on the mend

April 20, 2005

One half of the Los Angeles Angels' projected starting infield was seen in action in Arizona this past weekend, playing minor league games in preparation for their return to the Angels' starting lineup.

Second baseman Adam Kennedy, recovering from a knee injury, is working out at the Angels' training facility in Mesa. He has been playing in extended spring training games in preparation for a rehab stint with one of Los Angeles' minor league affiliates. Kennedy optimistically expects to be back in the big leagues in two weeks.

The veteran tested out the knee on an stolen base attempt in Saturday's game. He was thrown out at second base by Chicago Cub catcher Oscar Bernard, but came through it okay physically.

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Third baseman Dallas McPherson returned to the parent club after a big weekend in Tucson as the Angels' AAA squad, the Salt Lake Stingers, faced the Diamondbacks' Pacific Coast League team. The left-handed slugger finished Saturday night's game a triple shy of hitting for the cycle, including a long grand slam homer to the top of the grass berm behind the right field fence.

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Tucson's tandem of right fielder Carlos Quentin and first baseman / outfielder Conor Jackson are already showing that they are very close to being ready to hit at the major league level. Quentin is already playing big league quality defense, while Jackson needs to improve his defense in order to be a regular position player at the major league level.

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Extended spring training games, which typically feature a mix of young short season players along with rehabbing major and minor leaguers, this year include several prospects that are serving out their 10-day suspensions for testing positive for steroids. Among the players spending extra time in Arizona this month are Athletics blue chip outfield prospect Javier Herrera and Angels first baseman Baltazar Lopez.

The Athletics are sporting a prospect-laden extended spring training team, with Herrera, third baseman Brian Snyder and first baseman Eddie Kim in the starting lineup most days.

--- Bill Mitchell