Kendry Morales is no sure thing to be ready for Opening Day after missing most of last season with a broken leg and if he is ready for game action on March 31 it’ll likely be as a designated hitter, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.
DiGiovanna writes that Morales “is hitting from both sides of the plate with no problems and participating in fielding drills ... but he is still not running anywhere near 100 percent.”
Mike Scioscia said today that he’s “confident” Morales will be in the Opening Day lineup, but he’s not expected to play in an exhibition game for at least another week. Bobby Abreu is slated to be the Angels’ primary designated hitter now that Vernon Wells has joined Torii Hunter and Peter Bourjos in the outfield, and none of those four guys has ever played an inning at first base.