News
Halos set ALDS roster, carry 10 pitchers
Scioscia adds backstop Wilson, gives club three catchers
By Lyle Spencer / MLB.com
10/08/09 4:00 PM EST
ANAHEIM -- The Angels will go with 10 pitchers and 15 position players in the American League Division Series against Boston. Their official roster was announced by manager Mike Scioscia.Reliever Jason Bulger, who experienced shoulder discomfort on Saturday, had an injection on Sunday for biceps tendinitis and should be ready to go, Scioscia said.
Bobby Wilson made the postseason roster as a third catcher, joining Jeff Mathis and Mike Napoli, who have shared the position the past three seasons.
The complete 25-man roster: Pitchers (10) -- John Lackey, Jered Weaver, Scott Kazmir, Joe Saunders, Ervin Santana, Matt Palmer, Darren Oliver, Bulger, Kevin Jepsen and Brian Fuentes; catchers (3) -- Mathis, Napoli and Wilson; infielders (6) -- Kendry Morales, Howard Kendrick, Maicer Izturis, Erick Aybar, Chone Figgins and Robb Quinlan; outfielders (5) -- Juan Rivera, Torii Hunter, Bobby Abreu, Gary Matthews Jr., Reggie Willits; designated hitter (1) -- Vladimir Guerrero.
Guerrero can play the outfield in an emergency but hasn't been in the field since injuring his right knee in July. Quinlan is an infielder/outfielder, capable of playing all four corner positions.
The presence of Wilson, who has impressed Scioscia defensively, gives the manager an option to hold Napoli back as a pinch-hitter and bat for Mathis in late-game situations if the need arises. It also affords Scioscia the luxury of bunting for Napoli, if he deems it necessary, late in a game.
Willits made the roster as a versatile late-inning weapon, joining Matthews as outfield reserves. The bench will include Izturis for Game 1 with Kendrick playing second base against southpaw Jon Lester. Napoli also will be on the bench with Mathis catching Lackey.
Izturis will play second base against Boston's right-handed starters, with Kendrick going to the bench with his hot bat.
Wilson, who spent almost the entire season at Triple-A Salt Lake, has familiarity and experience -- through Spring Training and three trips to Anaheim this season -- with all of the Angels pitchers except Kazmir, who was acquired on Aug. 28 in a deal with Tampa Bay.
"It gives us some depth, some versatility," Scioscia said of the decision to carry three catchers. "Carrying a third catcher made a lot of sense.
"If it's a place where you need to get a bunt down and Nap's in the game or a better [hitting] matchup if Jeff's in the game, having the third catcher helps."
Willits, Scioscia said, brings multiple skills.
"We can plug him in some situations late, whether as a pinch-runner, to bunt, lead off an inning, play defense. He brings a lot there."
Santana's ability to pitch multiple innings as he moves to the bullpen made an 11th pitcher unnecessary, in Scioscia's view.
Weaver, the Angels' Game 2 starter against Josh Beckett, was in the bullpen last October, and he delivered two scoreless innings in the Angels' lone victory in Game 3 in Boston.
Kazmir will pitch Game 3 in Boston, with Saunders poised for Game 4, if necessary. Both lefties have excelled at Fenway Park.
Lyle Spencer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
