News
Kendrick immediately back in lineup
Scioscia reinserts second baseman straight from Triple-A
By Quinn Roberts / MLB.com
07/04/09 8:56 PM ET
ANAHEIM -- Angels manager Mike Scioscia didn't wait long to put Howard Kendrick back in the starting lineup Saturday, penciling him in at second base to face the Baltimore Orioles after being recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake following Friday night's game."Howie is much more comfortable in the box," Scioscia. "Those are the reports we are getting from down there in Salt Lake.
"We want to see what he can do and see if he can be the part we anticipated."
Originally optioned on June 13, Kendrick batted .346 with two home runs and 11 RBIs in 20 games with the Bees.
He struggled with the Angels for much of May, though, hitting just .193 with one home run and four RBIs.
Much of his struggles, which came from a closed stance too close to the plate, Scioscia feels have been worked on and corrected with both the Halos and the Bees.
"You have to be careful not to have Howie feel like he needs to press," Scioscia said. "We want him to play baseball and that was one of the reasons why we sent him down in the first place.
"I think hopefully when guys get back they have a different perspective, relax a little and just play baseball."
With Kendrick making his return to the team, it allows Scioscia to rotate three players between second base and shortstop, giving Erick Aybar and Maicer Izturis days off when need be.
Case in point -- in Saturday's game, Scioscia started the hot hitting Izturis at short and put Kendrick at second.
"We will keep those three guys playing to find some combinations that keep guys fresh and productive," Scioscia said. "Howie will only add what we can get out of those two positions."
Quinn Robertsis an associate reporter for MLB.com This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
