Torii Hunter knows what his responsibility is as the Angels' cleanup hitter. That's why it pains him so much to keep coming up empty. Hunter has not driven in a run since his two-run home run in the first inning at Detroit on Aug. 6. He was ejected later that night and drew a four-game suspension for the on-field eruption that followed. Since returning from that suspension, he has gone 18 games without an RBI. It is his longest RBI drought as an Angel and the longest of his career since a 22-game RBI-less stretch with the Twins wrapped around a demotion to Triple-A in 2000. His six RBI this August are also his lowest total for any month since that season. The Angels' stalled offense has given Hunter fewer RBI opportunities, and he admits that he might be trying too hard when those situations come up. "Yeah, of course, you tense up a little bit," he said. "You're thinking, 'I gotta eat. I don't know when I might get another opportunity.'" That desire to come through big for his team can work against him sometimes, manager Mike Scioscia admitted. "At times, Torii has pressed a little bit," Scioscia said. "That's that football mentality he has. I think he fights that at times. It's a double-edged sword. It's what drives him to be the player he is and make the plays he does out there. And at times, it gets him a little bit out of his game." MARINERS 3, ANGELS 1: A pitchers' duel between Dan Haren and Felix Hernandez was decided by the bullpens. Haren and Hernandez matched zeroes through seven scoreless innings. The Angels scored on back-to-back doubles by Alberto Callaspo and Howie Kendrick in the eighth inning off Mariners reliever Brandon League. But Kevin Jepsen couldn't hold the lead in the bottom of the eighth, surrendering three runs on two walks, two singles and a sacrifice fly. It was the fourth time in the last five games the Angels' offense has been held to one run or none.


Jeff Mathis - Mike Scioscia - Mike Napoli - Kendry Morales - Disabled list

C.J. Wilson followed Cliff Lee's lead, turning in another masterful performance by a Texas Rangers left-hander.


Texas Rangers - Cliff Lee - United States - History - West

The Detroit Tigers desperately needed a strong pitching performance to snap their longest losing streak of the season.


Detroit Tigers - Sports - Rangers F.C. - Baseball - Teams

It was another transitional offseason for the Angels as they watched key players John Lackey, Vladimir Guerrero and Chone Figgins leave as free agents while division rivals Seattle and Texas seemed to improve. The Angels have pinned their hopes on the continued development of young players, such as Kendry Morales and Erick Aybar, who had breakout seasons in 2009 and Jered Weaver, Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders, who anchor a deep rotation. The Angels still might be the most complete team in the AL West, but the gap clearly has narrowed. ARRIVALS: RHP Joel Pineiro (free agent from Cardinals), RHP Fernando Rodney (free agent from Tigers), OF/DH Hideki Matsui (free agent from Yankees), RHP Brian Stokes (trade with Mets). DEPARTURES: RHP John Lackey (free agent, signed with Red Sox), 3B Chone Figgins (free agent, signed with Mariners), OF/DH Vladimir Guerrero (free agent, signed with Rangers), LHP Darren Oliver (free agent, signed with Rangers), RHP Kelvim Escobar (free agent, signed with Mets), OF Gary Matthews Jr. (traded to Mets), RHP Jose Arredondo (free agent, signed minor league deal with Reds), RHP Shane Loux (free agent, signed minor league deal with Astros), RHP Dustin Moseley (non-tendered, signed minor league deal with Yankees). PROJECTED ROTATION: 1. RHP Jered Weaver 2. RHP Ervin Santana 3. LHP Joe Saunders 4. LHP Scott Kazmir 5. RHP Joel Pineiro The departure of John Lackey leaves the Angels' rotation without a clear ace. But the additions of Scott Kazmir by trade last season and Joel Pineiro as a free agent this winter gives them 1-through-5 depth as good as any in the league. Ervin Santana could be the key to elevating this group to an even higher level. An All-Star in 2008, Santana was hampered by a partially torn ligament in his elbow last season. If he is healthy, Santana has a dynamic power repertoire. PROJECTED BULLPEN: LHP Brian Fuentes (closer) RHP Fernando Rodney RHP Scot Shields RHP Kevin Jepsen RHP Jason Bulger RHP Brian Stokes/Matt Palmer The Angels' signing of Fernando Rodney is insurance against Scot Shields' recovery from knee surgery and Brian Fuentes' less than dominating performance at closer (despite a major league-leading 48 saves in 2009). Rodney could slide into either the setup or closer role at times. Shields was one of the most dependable setup men in baseball from 2006 through 2008. If he recovers from knee surgery to regain that form, the Angels' bullpen could be deep and formidable with Kevin Jepsen and Jason Bulger building on the progress they showed in 2009. Brian Stokes, acquired from the Mets in a trade for Gary Matthews Jr., and Matt Palmer will likely compete for the final spot in the bullpen. PROJECTED LINEUP: 1. SS Erick Aybar 2. RF Bobby Abreu 3. 1B Kendry Morales 4. CF Torii Hunter 5. DH Hideki Matsui 6. LF Juan Rivera 7. 2B Howie Kendrick 8. 3B Brandon Wood 9. C Mike Napoli/Jeff Mathis The Angels expect Matsui to replace Guerrero's production. Replacing Figgins at the top of the lineup will be more difficult. He developed into one of the best leadoff hitters in baseball last season. Aybar led the team with a .312 batting average last season but has shown little of the plate discipline needed from a leadoff hitter. If he can't fill the leadoff void, manager Mike Scioscia will probably turn to INF Maicer Izturis. But playing Izturis means taking at-bats away from youngsters Howie Kendrick or Brandon Wood (at second base or third base). Kendrick must continue the bounce back he showed after a midseason demotion to Class AAA last year, and Morales must follow up on his MVP-caliber season last year with more of the same. PROJECTED RESERVES: C Mike Napoli/Jeff Mathis INF Maicer Izturis INF Robb Quinlan OF Reggie Willits OF Terry Evans The Angels decided it was necessary to trade Gary Matthews Jr. and his contract. But the move leaves them thin in the outfield, their most vulnerable position because of the ages of Hunter, Abreu and Matsui. Willits and Evans offer the only depth there. Izturis will see plenty of action in the starting lineup in a "super-utility" role. Mathis and Napoli will once again share the catching duties, and Bobby Wilson will get an outside chance to make the team as a third catcher. MEDICAL WATCH: --LHP Scott Kazmir (left shoulder tightness) missed his March 24 start. He is expected to be ready before his first regular-season start. --RHP Ervin Santana (inflamed right elbow) missed his March 23 start. It's possible he could miss at least one more spring start, though the team believes he'll be ready for the start of the regular season. --OF Chris Pettit (right shoulder) was scheduled to undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum and will miss the entire season. He had been a candidate for a reserve spot.

--LHP Scott Kazmir missed his March 24 start due to left shoulder tightness. Both Kazmir and manager Mike Scioscia believe the lefty will be able to make his first regular-season start. --RHP Ervin Santana skipped a scheduled March 23 start due to an inflamed right elbow. It's possible he could miss at least one more spring start, though the team believes he'll be ready for the start of the regular season. --OF Bobby Abreu missed a week's worth of games because of a sore muscle in his rib cage. He returned to Cactus League action on March 19 and homered in his first at-bat. --SS Erick Aybar has been held out of games because of stiffness in his forearm. Aybar has played in a couple minor league games (hitting only) in order to get some at-bats. He is expected back to full duty soon. --RHP Bobby Cassevah was returned to the Angels by the Oakland A's. The A's selected Cassevah in the Rule 5 draft in December but were not willing to keep him on their major league roster all season. Cassevah had a 3-7 record and 3.68 ERA in 73 relief appearances for Double-A Arkansas last season. --C Mike Napoli was unable to throw out any of the first 12 baserunners who tried to steal bases while he was behind the plate, including five Padres in one game. "It's definitely mechanics, but I think it's related to some of the concepts he's trying to carry forward," manager Mike Scioscia said. "When somebody tells you to dance, they don't tell you, 'OK, put one foot here and one foot there.' You do it with a natural rhythm. I think that's what Mike has gotten away from a little bit." --RHP Jered Weaver was one of the most extreme flyball pitchers in baseball last season. RHP Joel Pineiro had the highest groundball ratio of any pitcher in 2009. So Weaver asked Pineiro to show him the grip he uses to get the sinking action on his two-seam fastball. Weaver has tried the pitch during spring games with mixed results. "I'm a flyball pitcher. If I can get some more groundballs, it will help a lot," Weaver said of the experiment. BY THE NUMBERS: .256 -- Angels' team batting average this spring through March 19, 13th in the American League. Last spring, the Angels hit .315 as a team. QUOTE TO NOTE: "That wasn't me out there. I want to bring me back." -- RHP Scot Shields on his 2009 season, which ended in May because of a knee injury.

The 2009 season was a painful one for Scot Shields. One of the most reliable relievers in the game over the previous three seasons, Shields was anything but in April and May. Trying to pitch through a partially torn patellar tendon in his left knee, Shields had a 1-3 record and 6.52 ERA in 20 appearances before admitting in late May that the pain in his knee was too much. He underwent season-ending surgery in June -- but still is not willing to let that explain his poor performance early last year. So manager Mike Scioscia does it for him. "All of it," Scioscia said when asked how much of Shields' problems early last season were attributable to his knee injury. "Everything he was trying to do was compromised by where his landing leg was injured. "It was everything." Nine months after the surgery, appears likely to be ready to go on opening day, teaming with free agent acquisition Fernando Rodney in a setup pyramid leading to closer Brian Fuentes. "We know what his talent is and what he can bring when he is healthy," Scioscia said. "We're going to need that." Shields will need to re-establish his health and reliability in order to secure his future. The 34-year-old right-hander (the last player from their 2002 World Series team still with the Angels) is in the final year of his contract. "If I wasn't on track, I'd say, yeah, (I'm worried about my contract status)," Shields said. "But I am on track and I'm not worried about being able to come back. The only thing you can do is go out and pitch."

It was another transitional offseason for the Angels as they watched key players John Lackey, Vladimir Guerrero and Chone Figgins leave as free agents while division rivals Seattle and Texas seemed to improve. The Angels have pinned their hopes on the continued development of young players, such as Kendry Morales and Erick Aybar, who had breakout seasons in 2009 and Jered Weaver, Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders, who anchor a deep rotation. The Angels still might be the most complete team in the AL West, but the gap clearly has narrowed. ARRIVALS: RHP Joel Pineiro (free agent from Cardinals), RHP Fernando Rodney (free agent from Tigers), OF/DH Hideki Matsui (free agent from Yankees), RHP Brian Stokes (trade with Mets). DEPARTURES: RHP John Lackey (free agent, signed with Red Sox), 3B Chone Figgins (free agent, signed with Mariners), OF/DH Vladimir Guerrero (free agent, signed with Rangers), LHP Darren Oliver (free agent, signed with Rangers), RHP Kelvim Escobar (free agent, signed with Mets), OF Gary Matthews Jr. (traded to Mets), RHP Jose Arredondo (free agent, signed minor league deal with Reds), RHP Shane Loux (free agent, signed minor league deal with Astros), RHP Dustin Moseley (non-tendered, signed minor league deal with Yankees). PROJECTED ROTATION: 1. RHP Jered Weaver 2. RHP Ervin Santana 3. LHP Joe Saunders 4. LHP Scott Kazmir 5. RHP Joel Pineiro The departure of John Lackey leaves the Angels' rotation without a clear ace. But the additions of Scott Kazmir by trade last season and Joel Pineiro as a free agent this winter gives them 1-through-5 depth as good as any in the league. Ervin Santana could be the key to elevating this group to an even higher level. An All-Star in 2008, Santana was hampered by a partially torn ligament in his elbow last season. If he is healthy, Santana has a dynamic power repertoire. PROJECTED BULLPEN: LHP Brian Fuentes (closer) RHP Fernando Rodney RHP Scot Shields RHP Kevin Jepsen RHP Jason Bulger RHP Brian Stokes/Matt Palmer The Angels' signing of Fernando Rodney is insurance against Scot Shields' recovery from knee surgery and Brian Fuentes' less than dominating performance at closer (despite a major league-leading 48 saves in 2009). Rodney could slide into either the setup or closer role at times. Shields was one of the most dependable setup men in baseball from 2006 through 2008. If he recovers from knee surgery to regain that form, the Angels' bullpen could be deep and formidable with Kevin Jepsen and Jason Bulger building on the progress they showed in 2009. Brian Stokes, acquired from the Mets in a trade for Gary Matthews Jr., and Matt Palmer will likely compete for the final spot in the bullpen. PROJECTED LINEUP: 1. SS Erick Aybar 2. RF Bobby Abreu 3. 1B Kendry Morales 4. CF Torii Hunter 5. DH Hideki Matsui 6. LF Juan Rivera 7. 2B Howie Kendrick 8. 3B Brandon Wood 9. C Mike Napoli/Jeff Mathis The Angels expect Matsui to replace Guerrero's production. Replacing Figgins at the top of the lineup will be more difficult. He developed into one of the best leadoff hitters in baseball last season. Aybar led the team with a .312 batting average last season but has shown little of the plate discipline needed from a leadoff hitter. If he can't fill the leadoff void, manager Mike Scioscia will probably turn to INF Maicer Izturis. But playing Izturis means taking at-bats away from youngsters Howie Kendrick or Brandon Wood (at second base or third base). Kendrick must continue the bounce back he showed after a midseason demotion to Class AAA last year, and Morales must follow up on his MVP-caliber season last year with more of the same. PROJECTED RESERVES: C Mike Napoli/Jeff Mathis INF Maicer Izturis INF Robb Quinlan OF Reggie Willits OF Terry Evans The Angels decided it was necessary to trade Gary Matthews Jr. and his contract. But the move leaves them thin in the outfield, their most vulnerable position because of the ages of Hunter, Abreu and Matsui. Willits and Evans offer the only depth there. Izturis will see plenty of action in the starting lineup in a "super-utility" role. Mathis and Napoli will once again share the catching duties, and Bobby Wilson will get an outside chance to make the team as a third catcher. MEDICAL WATCH: --RHP Ervin Santana (inflamed right elbow) missed his March 23 start. It's possible he could miss at least one more spring start, though the team believes he'll be ready for the start of the regular season. --OF Chris Pettit (right shoulder) was scheduled to undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum and will miss the entire season. He had been a candidate for a reserve spot.

--RHP Ervin Santana skipped a scheduled March 23 start due to an inflamed right elbow. It's possible he could miss at least one more spring start, though the team believes he'll be ready for the start of the regular season. --OF Bobby Abreu missed a week's worth of games because of a sore muscle in his rib cage. He returned to Cactus League action on March 19 and homered in his first at-bat. --SS Erick Aybar has been held out of games because of stiffness in his forearm. Aybar has played in a couple minor league games (hitting only) in order to get some at-bats. He is expected back to full duty soon. --RHP Bobby Cassevah was returned to the Angels by the Oakland A's. The A's selected Cassevah in the Rule 5 draft in December but were not willing to keep him on their major league roster all season. Cassevah had a 3-7 record and 3.68 ERA in 73 relief appearances for Double-A Arkansas last season. --C Mike Napoli was unable to throw out any of the first 12 baserunners who tried to steal bases while he was behind the plate, including five Padres in one game. "It's definitely mechanics, but I think it's related to some of the concepts he's trying to carry forward," manager Mike Scioscia said. "When somebody tells you to dance, they don't tell you, 'OK, put one foot here and one foot there.' You do it with a natural rhythm. I think that's what Mike has gotten away from a little bit." --RHP Jered Weaver was one of the most extreme flyball pitchers in baseball last season. RHP Joel Pineiro had the highest groundball ratio of any pitcher in 2009. So Weaver asked Pineiro to show him the grip he uses to get the sinking action on his two-seam fastball. Weaver has tried the pitch during spring games with mixed results. "I'm a flyball pitcher. If I can get some more groundballs, it will help a lot," Weaver said of the experiment. BY THE NUMBERS: .256 -- Angels' team batting average this spring through March 19, 13th in the American League. Last spring, the Angels hit .315 as a team. QUOTE TO NOTE: "That wasn't me out there. I want to bring me back." -- RHP Scot Shields on his 2009 season, which ended in May because of a knee injury.

The 2009 season was a painful one for Scot Shields. One of the most reliable relievers in the game over the previous three seasons, Shields was anything but in April and May. Trying to pitch through a partially torn patellar tendon in his left knee, Shields had a 1-3 record and 6.52 ERA in 20 appearances before admitting in late May that the pain in his knee was too much. He underwent season-ending surgery in June -- but still is not willing to let that explain his poor performance early last year. So manager Mike Scioscia does it for him. "All of it," Scioscia said when asked how much of Shields' problems early last season were attributable to his knee injury. "Everything he was trying to do was compromised by where his landing leg was injured. "It was everything." Nine months after the surgery, appears likely to be ready to go on opening day, teaming with free agent acquisition Fernando Rodney in a setup pyramid leading to closer Brian Fuentes. "We know what his talent is and what he can bring when he is healthy," Scioscia said. "We're going to need that." Shields will need to re-establish his health and reliability in order to secure his future. The 34-year-old right-hander (the last player from their 2002 World Series team still with the Angels) is in the final year of his contract. "If I wasn't on track, I'd say, yeah, (I'm worried about my contract status)," Shields said. "But I am on track and I'm not worried about being able to come back. The only thing you can do is go out and pitch."

It was another transitional offseason for the Angels as they watched key players John Lackey, Vladimir Guerrero and Chone Figgins leave as free agents while division rivals Seattle and Texas seemed to improve. The Angels have pinned their hopes on the continued development of young players, such as Kendry Morales and Erick Aybar, who had breakout seasons in 2009 and Jered Weaver, Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders, who anchor a deep rotation. The Angels still might be the most complete team in the AL West, but the gap clearly has narrowed. ARRIVALS: RHP Joel Pineiro (free agent from Cardinals), RHP Fernando Rodney (free agent from Tigers), OF/DH Hideki Matsui (free agent from Yankees), RHP Brian Stokes (trade with Mets). DEPARTURES: RHP John Lackey (free agent, signed with Red Sox), 3B Chone Figgins (free agent, signed with Mariners), OF/DH Vladimir Guerrero (free agent, signed with Rangers), LHP Darren Oliver (free agent, signed with Rangers), RHP Kelvim Escobar (free agent, signed with Mets), OF Gary Matthews Jr. (traded to Mets), RHP Jose Arredondo (free agent, signed minor league deal with Reds), RHP Shane Loux (free agent, signed minor league deal with Astros), RHP Dustin Moseley (non-tendered, signed minor league deal with Yankees). PROJECTED ROTATION: 1. RHP Jered Weaver 2. RHP Ervin Santana 3. LHP Joe Saunders 4. LHP Scott Kazmir 5. RHP Joel Pineiro The departure of John Lackey leaves the Angels' rotation without a clear ace. But the additions of Scott Kazmir by trade last season and Joel Pineiro as a free agent this winter gives them 1-through-5 depth as good as any in the league. Ervin Santana could be the key to elevating this group to an even higher level. An All-Star in 2008, Santana was hampered by a partially torn ligament in his elbow last season. If he is healthy, Santana has a dynamic power repertoire. PROJECTED BULLPEN: LHP Brian Fuentes (closer) RHP Fernando Rodney RHP Scot Shields RHP Kevin Jepsen RHP Jason Bulger RHP Brian Stokes/Matt Palmer The Angels' signing of Fernando Rodney is insurance against Scot Shields' recovery from knee surgery and Brian Fuentes' less than dominating performance at closer (despite a major league-leading 48 saves in 2009). Rodney could slide into either the setup or closer role at times. Shields was one of the most dependable setup men in baseball from 2006 through 2008. If he recovers from knee surgery to regain that form, the Angels' bullpen could be deep and formidable with Kevin Jepsen and Jason Bulger building on the progress they showed in 2009. Brian Stokes, acquired from the Mets in a trade for Gary Matthews Jr., and Matt Palmer will likely compete for the final spot in the bullpen. PROJECTED LINEUP: 1. SS Erick Aybar 2. RF Bobby Abreu 3. 1B Kendry Morales 4. CF Torii Hunter 5. DH Hideki Matsui 6. LF Juan Rivera 7. 2B Howie Kendrick 8. 3B Brandon Wood 9. C Mike Napoli/Jeff Mathis The Angels expect Matsui to replace Guerrero's production. Replacing Figgins at the top of the lineup will be more difficult. He developed into one of the best leadoff hitters in baseball last season. Aybar led the team with a .312 batting average last season but has shown little of the plate discipline needed from a leadoff hitter. If he can't fill the leadoff void, manager Mike Scioscia will probably turn to INF Maicer Izturis. But playing Izturis means taking at-bats away from youngsters Howie Kendrick or Brandon Wood (at second base or third base). Kendrick must continue the bounce back he showed after a midseason demotion to Class AAA last year, and Morales must follow up on his MVP-caliber season last year with more of the same. PROJECTED RESERVES: C Mike Napoli/Jeff Mathis INF Maicer Izturis INF Robb Quinlan OF Reggie Willits OF Terry Evans The Angels decided it was necessary to trade Gary Matthews Jr. and his contract. But the move leaves them thin in the outfield, their most vulnerable position because of the ages of Hunter, Abreu and Matsui. Willits and Evans offer the only depth there. Izturis will see plenty of action in the starting lineup in a "super-utility" role. Mathis and Napoli will once again share the catching duties, and Bobby Wilson will get an outside chance to make the team as a third catcher. MEDICAL WATCH: --CF Torii Hunter (groin) felt discomfort in the area where he had surgery for a sports hernia but was told it was just scar tissue breaking apart. He was held out of games for a week but should be OK. --OF Chris Pettit (right shoulder) was scheduled to undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum and will miss the entire season. He had been a candidate for a reserve outfield spot. --RHP Scot Shields (patellar tendon surgery on left knee in June 2009) is expected to be ready for opening day.

--OF Bobby Abreu missed a week's worth of games because of a sore muscle in his rib cage. He returned to Cactus League action on March 19 and homered in his first at-bat. --SS Erick Aybar has been held out of games because of stiffness in his forearm. Aybar has played in a couple minor league games (hitting only) in order to get some at-bats. He is expected back to full duty soon. --RHP Bobby Cassevah was returned to the Angels by the Oakland A's. The A's selected Cassevah in the Rule 5 draft in December but were not willing to keep him on their major league roster all season. Cassevah had a 3-7 record and 3.68 ERA in 73 relief appearances for Double-A Arkansas last season. --C Mike Napoli was unable to throw out any of the first 12 baserunners who tried to steal bases while he was behind the plate, including five Padres in one game. "It's definitely mechanics, but I think it's related to some of the concepts he's trying to carry forward," manager Mike Scioscia said. "When somebody tells you to dance, they don't tell you, 'OK, put one foot here and one foot there.' You do it with a natural rhythm. I think that's what Mike has gotten away from a little bit." --RHP Jered Weaver was one of the most extreme flyball pitchers in baseball last season. RHP Joel Pineiro had the highest groundball ratio of any pitcher in 2009. So Weaver asked Pineiro to show him the grip he uses to get the sinking action on his two-seam fastball. Weaver has tried the pitch during spring games with mixed results. "I'm a flyball pitcher. If I can get some more groundballs, it will help a lot," Weaver said of the experiment. BY THE NUMBERS: .256 -- Angels' team batting average this spring through March 19, 13th in the American League. Last spring, the Angels hit .315 as a team. QUOTE TO NOTE: "That wasn't me out there. I want to bring me back." -- RHP Scot Shields on his 2009 season, which ended in May because of a knee injury.

The 2009 season was a painful one for Scot Shields. One of the most reliable relievers in the game over the previous three seasons, Shields was anything but in April and May. Trying to pitch through a partially torn patellar tendon in his left knee, Shields had a 1-3 record and 6.52 ERA in 20 appearances before admitting in late May that the pain in his knee was too much. He underwent season-ending surgery in June -- but still is not willing to let that explain his poor performance early last year. So manager Mike Scioscia does it for him. "All of it," Scioscia said when asked how much of Shields' problems early last season were attributable to his knee injury. "Everything he was trying to do was compromised by where his landing leg was injured. "It was everything." Nine months after the surgery, appears likely to be ready to go on opening day, teaming with free agent acquisition Fernando Rodney in a setup pyramid leading to closer Brian Fuentes. "We know what his talent is and what he can bring when he is healthy," Scioscia said. "We're going to need that." Shields will need to re-establish his health and reliability in order to secure his future. The 34-year-old right-hander (the last player from their 2002 World Series team still with the Angels) is in the final year of his contract. "If I wasn't on track, I'd say, yeah, (I'm worried about my contract status)," Shields said. "But I am on track and I'm not worried about being able to come back. The only thing you can do is go out and pitch."

It was another transitional offseason for the Angels as they watched key players John Lackey, Vladimir Guerrero and Chone Figgins leave as free agents while division rivals Seattle and Texas seemed to improve. The Angels have pinned their hopes on the continued development of young players, such as Kendry Morales and Erick Aybar, who had breakout seasons in 2009 and Jered Weaver, Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders, who anchor a deep rotation. The Angels still might be the most complete team in the AL West, but the gap clearly has narrowed. ARRIVALS: RHP Joel Pineiro (free agent from Cardinals), RHP Fernando Rodney (free agent from Tigers), OF/DH Hideki Matsui (free agent from Yankees), RHP Brian Stokes (trade with Mets). DEPARTURES: RHP John Lackey (free agent, signed with Red Sox), 3B Chone Figgins (free agent, signed with Mariners), OF/DH Vladimir Guerrero (free agent, signed with Rangers), LHP Darren Oliver (free agent, signed with Rangers), RHP Kelvim Escobar (free agent, signed with Mets), OF Gary Matthews Jr. (traded to Mets), RHP Jose Arredondo (free agent, signed minor league deal with Reds), RHP Shane Loux (free agent, signed minor league deal with Astros), RHP Dustin Moseley (non-tendered, signed minor league deal with Yankees). PROJECTED ROTATION: 1. RHP Jered Weaver 2. RHP Ervin Santana 3. LHP Joe Saunders 4. LHP Scott Kazmir 5. RHP Joel Pineiro The departure of John Lackey leaves the Angels' rotation without a clear ace. But the additions of Scott Kazmir by trade last season and Joel Pineiro as a free agent this winter gives them 1-through-5 depth as good as any in the league. Ervin Santana could be the key to elevating this group to an even higher level. An All-Star in 2008, Santana was hampered by a partially torn ligament in his elbow last season. If he is healthy, Santana has a dynamic power repertoire. PROJECTED BULLPEN: LHP Brian Fuentes (closer) RHP Fernando Rodney RHP Scot Shields RHP Kevin Jepsen RHP Jason Bulger RHP Brian Stokes/Matt Palmer The Angels' signing of Fernando Rodney is insurance against Scot Shields' recovery from knee surgery and Brian Fuentes' less than dominating performance at closer (despite a major league-leading 48 saves in 2009). Rodney could slide into either the setup or closer role at times. Shields was one of the most dependable setup men in baseball from 2006 through 2008. If he recovers from knee surgery to regain that form, the Angels' bullpen could be deep and formidable with Kevin Jepsen and Jason Bulger building on the progress they showed in 2009. Brian Stokes, acquired from the Mets in a trade for Gary Matthews Jr., and Matt Palmer will likely compete for the final spot in the bullpen. PROJECTED LINEUP: 1. SS Erick Aybar 2. RF Bobby Abreu 3. 1B Kendry Morales 4. CF Torii Hunter 5. DH Hideki Matsui 6. LF Juan Rivera 7. 2B Howie Kendrick 8. 3B Brandon Wood 9. C Mike Napoli/Jeff Mathis The Angels expect Matsui to replace Guerrero's production. Replacing Figgins at the top of the lineup will be more difficult. He developed into one of the best leadoff hitters in baseball last season. Aybar led the team with a .312 batting average last season but has shown little of the plate discipline needed from a leadoff hitter. If he can't fill the leadoff void, manager Mike Scioscia will probably turn to INF Maicer Izturis. But playing Izturis means taking at-bats away from youngsters Howie Kendrick or Brandon Wood (at second base or third base). Kendrick must continue the bounce back he showed after a midseason demotion to Class AAA last year, and Morales must follow up on his MVP-caliber season last year with more of the same. PROJECTED RESERVES: C Mike Napoli/Jeff Mathis INF Maicer Izturis INF Robb Quinlan OF Reggie Willits OF Terry Evans The Angels decided it was necessary to trade Gary Matthews Jr. and his contract. But the move leaves them thin in the outfield, their most vulnerable position because of the ages of Hunter, Abreu and Matsui. Willits and Evans offer the only depth there. Izturis will see plenty of action in the starting lineup in a "super-utility" role. Mathis and Napoli will once again share the catching duties, and Bobby Wilson will get an outside chance to make the team as a third catcher. MEDICAL WATCH: --CF Torii Hunter (groin) felt discomfort in the area where he had surgery for a sports hernia but was told it was just scar tissue breaking apart. He was held out of games for a week but should be OK. --OF Chris Pettit (right shoulder) was scheduled to undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum and will miss the entire season. He had been a candidate for a reserve outfield spot. --RHP Scot Shields (patellar tendon surgery on left knee in June 2009) is expected to be ready for opening day.

--OF Bobby Abreu missed a week's worth of games because of a sore muscle in his rib cage. He returned to Cactus League action on March 19 and homered in his first at-bat. --SS Erick Aybar has been held out of games because of stiffness in his forearm. Aybar has played in a couple minor league games (hitting only) in order to get some at-bats. He is expected back to full duty soon. --RHP Bobby Cassevah was returned to the Angels by the Oakland A's. The A's selected Cassevah in the Rule 5 draft in December but were not willing to keep him on their major league roster all season. Cassevah had a 3-7 record and 3.68 ERA in 73 relief appearances for Double-A Arkansas last season. --C Mike Napoli was unable to throw out any of the first 12 baserunners who tried to steal bases while he was behind the plate, including five Padres in one game. "It's definitely mechanics, but I think it's related to some of the concepts he's trying to carry forward," manager Mike Scioscia said. "When somebody tells you to dance, they don't tell you, 'OK, put one foot here and one foot there.' You do it with a natural rhythm. I think that's what Mike has gotten away from a little bit." --RHP Jered Weaver was one of the most extreme flyball pitchers in baseball last season. RHP Joel Pineiro had the highest groundball ratio of any pitcher in 2009. So Weaver asked Pineiro to show him the grip he uses to get the sinking action on his two-seam fastball. Weaver has tried the pitch during spring games with mixed results. "I'm a flyball pitcher. If I can get some more groundballs, it will help a lot," Weaver said of the experiment. BY THE NUMBERS: .256 -- Angels' team batting average this spring through March 19, 13th in the American League. Last spring, the Angels hit .315 as a team. QUOTE TO NOTE: "That wasn't me out there. I want to bring me back." -- RHP Scot Shields on his 2009 season, which ended in May because of a knee injury.