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Clips

(April 16, 2015)

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Today’s Clips Contents FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES (Page 3)

Angels' Garrett Richards could start Sunday vs. Astros

Angels offense breaks out, Hector Santiago sharp in 10-2 win

Angels' Hector Santiago is sharp against Rangers

Angels offense breaks loose for 10 runs on 13 hits

Albert Pujols should lead Angels through the Josh Hamilton mess

Mike Scioscia hopes Josh Hamilton 'is getting the help he needs'

Another battle possible over Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton FROM THE OC REGISTER (Page 10)

Angels' Matt Joyce looks to get turned around from bad start

Angels Notes: No decision yet on Garrett Richards

Final: Angels bats come to life in 10-2 victory over Rangers

Hector Santiago is a cut above Rangers in Angels' 10-2 victory

Mike Scioscia says Josh Hamilton's rehab not slowed by absence from Angels

FROM ANGELS.COM (Page 15)

Angels cruise past Rangers after 6-run second

Angels finally put it in high gear

Weaver hopes third start is the charm against Astros

Richards' next step to be determined by Angels

Santiago inspired by No. 42, new 'do on Jackie Robinson Day FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (Page 20)

Hector Santiago stays perfect in Texas as Los Angeles Angels pound Rangers FROM ESPN (Page 22)

Rapid Reaction: Angels 10, Rangers 2 FROM THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS (Page 23)

Cowlishaw: Why the Rangers should trade for Josh Hamilton

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FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

Angels' Garrett Richards could start Sunday vs. Astros

By Mike DiGiovanna

Garrett Richards will meet the Angels when they arrive in Houston on Wednesday night, but Manager Mike Scioscia wasn’t ready to make a firm commitment to the right-hander pitching Sunday against the Astros. Richards, in the final stage of his recovery from left-knee surgery, allowed four earned runs and seven hits, including a homer, in five innings for triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday night, striking out five and walking four at Fresno. The right-hander threw 91 pitches, 57 for strikes, and his fastball was clocked at 93-94 mph. Scioscia said Richards also fielded a bunt and covered first base on a grounder to the right side, the same play he ruptured his patellar tendon on in Fenway Park in August. “His stuff looked good,” Scioscia said. “I think his command maybe wasn’t as crisp at some points, but he moved well. I think he felt good. We’ll evaluate him when he gets here and see what the next step will be.” The hard-throwing Richards, who went 13-4 with a 2.61 earned-run average last season, could return to the Angels' rotation as early as Sunday in Houston. The Angels could also give him an extra day or two of rest and pitch him Monday or Tuesday night in Anaheim. The Angels added some short-term depth to their bullpen before Wednesday’s game against the Texas Rangers when they recalled left-hander Adam Wilk from Salt Lake to replace Drew Rucinski, who was optioned to triple-A after Tuesday night’s game. Wilk, 27, a former Cypress High School standout, pitched in eight games for the Detroit Tigers in 2011 and 2012 but spent 2013 in South Korea. He spent 2014 at Indianapolis, the triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, before signing as a minor league free agent with the Angels in December. To make room on the 40-man roster for Wilk, the Angels put pitcher Tyler Skaggs, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, on the 60-day disabled list.

Angels offense breaks out, Hector Santiago sharp in 10-2 win

By Mike DiGiovanna

The Angels scored as many runs in the second inning Wednesday as they had in any of their first eight games, riding a season-high 13-hit outburst to an easy 10-2 victory over the Texas Rangers in Globe Life Park. Johnny Giavotella split the left-center field gap with a bases-loaded, two-run single, and Matt Joyce hit a two-run double to left-center to highlight a six-run second to help the Angels win two of three games in the series.

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Giovatella doubled and scored on Mike Trout’s single in the fourth, and the Angels tacked on three runs in the sixth on Albert Pujols’ RBI single and David Freese’s two-run single. Mike Trout, who, like every player on the field Wednesday, wore No. 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day, reached base four times -- on three singles and a walk -- for the 42nd time of his career. Left-hander Hector Santiago pitched superbly, giving up one run and four hits in seven innings, striking out five and walking two, to improve to 1-1, his only blemish a solo homer that Carlos Corporan hit to right field in the fifth. Santiago escaped a runner-on-third, one-out jam in the second inning by getting Adam Rosales to pop out to the catcher and Leonys Martin to fly out to deep center. Reliever Adam Wilk, who was called up from triple-A Salt Lake before the game, made his Angels debut, escaping a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the eighth but allowing Rosales’ solo homer in the ninth.

Angels' Hector Santiago is sharp against Rangers

By Mike DiGiovanna

There are a slew of mechanical adjustments a pitcher can make to iron out his delivery, from the rotation of his hips to the placement of his hands to the length of his stride toward the plate. Shaving a three-inch-wide stripe from the front to the back of your head is generally not one of them, but that was the extreme measure Angels left-hander Hector Santiago took before facing the Texas Rangers on Wednesday. "It's a reverse mohawk," Santiago said proudly as he removed his cap after the Angels' 10-2 victory in Globe Life Park. "Every time I went to touch my hat, I couldn't take it off, so I just thought, 'Stay in my lane.' "For me, it's about trying to drive everything through the zone, instead of getting balls running in and out, those crazy pitches that you don't know where they're going. So just stay in your lane." Whether it was the proper alignment from his haircut or a feeling of comfort he has here, the sometimes-erratic Santiago was extremely sharp Wednesday, giving up one run and four hits in seven innings, striking out five and walking two to improve to 4-0 with a 2.15 earned-run average in five starts at Globe Life Park. Santiago threw first-pitch strikes to 19 of 27 batters and escaped a runner-on-third, one-out jam in the second by getting Adam Rosales to pop out to the catcher and Leonys Martin to fly to center. His only blemish was a solo homer he yielded to Carlos Corporan in the fifth, but by then, the game was all but decided, the Angels breaking out for a season-high 13 hits and scoring as many runs in the second inning — six — as they had in any of their first eight games.

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Johnny Giavotella split the left-center field gap with a bases-loaded, two-run single, and Matt Joyce hit a two-run double to left-center to highlight the second-inning outburst, as the Angels won two of three games in the series. The two through five hitters — Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Joyce and David Freese — combined to go nine for 16 with five runs and seven runs batted in. That was plenty of support for Santiago, who did not allow more than one baserunner in any of his seven innings. "It was a great start for Hector," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "When he gets into the zone, his stuff plays well, and when he gets into trouble, he gets behind in counts and gives guys too many good looks. Those guys can swing the bats, but today, he made some terrific pitches." Santiago hatched the idea for the reverse mohawk Sunday after the Angels were swept by Kansas City. Santiago had a so-so start against the Royals on Friday night, giving up three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 4-2 loss, and the Angels were blown out, 9-2, on Sunday. "Trouty and I were talking after we got swept and said, 'Man, we have to change it up,' " Santiago said. "And I was like, 'I'm going to change it up. I'm going to do something different. I'm going to do a reverse mohawk.' They're like, 'No you won't.' And I said, 'You guys must not know me; I will definitely do it.' " Santiago once drove home from a spring-training game in his uniform and jumped into his pool with the uniform on in hopes of washing away a brutal start, so a reverse mohawk wasn't a radical hairstyle for him. But it was short-lived. Santiago shaved his head for the team's trip to Houston. "Travel day," Santiago said. "Have to represent the team the right way."

Angels offense breaks loose for 10 runs on 13 hits

By Mike DiGiovanna

Angels 10, Texas 2 AT THE PLATE: For an offense struggling to string hits together and score runs, there aren't many better cures for the common cold spell than Globe Life Park, home of the Texas Rangers. The Angels entered Monday ranked last in the American League in batting (.195), 14th in on-base percentage (.245) and 13th in slugging (.332). They scored 16 runs in their first six games and hit .174 (four for 23) with runners in scoring position. But in winning two of three games here, the Angels scored 18 runs and hit .293 (32 for 109) with two home runs and seven doubles. They were six for 17 with runners in scoring position Wednesday. Mike Trout reached base four times in a game — three singles and a walk — for the 42nd time. ON THE MOUND: Left-hander Adam Wilk, called up from triple-A Salt Lake before the game, made his Angels debut, escaping a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the eighth inning but giving up Adam Rosales'

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solo home run in the ninth. Wilk, who will pitch in long relief, replaced right-hander Drew Rucinski, who was sent to triple A after Tuesday night's game. A former Cypress High and Long Beach State standout, Wilk, 27, pitched in eight games for Detroit in 2011 and 2012, spent 2013 in South Korea and 2014 at triple-A Indianapolis. REHAB REPORT: Garrett Richards, who threw 91 pitches in five innings of a triple-A game Tuesday, will meet the team in Houston, but Manager Mike Scioscia was not ready to commit to the right-hander pitching Sunday. Richards, in the final stage of his recovery from left-knee surgery, gave up four earned runs and seven hits, struck out five and walked four. He fielded a bunt and covered first base on a grounder, the same play in which he ruptured his patellar tendon in August. "His stuff looked good," Scioscia said. "I think his command maybe wasn't as crisp at some points, but he moved well. We'll evaluate him when he gets here and see what the next step will be." EXTRA BASES: Kole Calhoun has been limited by right-calf tightness to one pinch-hit appearance in the last four games, but the right fielder hopes to return to the lineup Friday or Saturday. … The Angels have won 15 of their last 19 games in Globe Life Park. UP NEXT: The Angels are off Thursday. Right-hander Jered Weaver (0-2, 8.71 ERA) will oppose Houston Astros right-hander Roberto Hernandez (0-1, 1.93 ERA) at Minute Maid Park on Friday at 5 p.m. PDT. TV: FS West. Radio: 830.

Albert Pujols should lead Angels through the Josh Hamilton mess

By Bill Dwyre

When playoff time in major league baseball comes this fall, the measure of success for the 2015 Angels will be directly related to how they handled the Josh Hamilton mess. We aren't talking about Angels management. It has already taken its stance, and that hasn't made a lot of their players happy. That doesn't mean it is wrong. It just means it is generally unpopular and an easy target for politically correct media rants. It would be interesting to see how people would feel if they were forced to write a check for $83 million for services never rendered. Angels fans feel for Hamilton because they know he is sick, not evil. Fans generally see players as blue-collar guys answering to a corporate Wal-Mart. That's even though these blue-collar guys make millions and work in manicured, multi-million-dollar ballparks surrounded by nightly adoration numbering in the thousands. Fans also are conflicted because Hamilton hasn't worked out. Last season, when the Angels won more games than any other team in the major leagues, they did so with little help from Hamilton. He was injured a lot. And when healthy, he was mostly lousy. The details and intrigue of this case — especially who is right and who is wrong — are already so complicated it may take George Mitchell and his law firm to give us the full rundown.

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Nothing will come easy here. This has Donald Sterling distraction written all over it. It has different players, different reasons, different issues, but is the kind of mess that can make an entire team's baseball season into one big check-swing. Every story about leaks and players' union demands and public disagreements between players and general managers is one less story about the players and their game. The players always say that they just want to play, but they play with less effectiveness when they can't focus only on doing so. Making this even more difficult for those in the clubhouse is that Hamilton is a really decent person, popular among his teammates. This isn't Kevin Brown, acting like a frat boy in the Dodgers clubhouse years ago, or A-Rod, slithering around with whatever new lie appears to be useful. This is Josh Hamilton, a guy next door who once could hit towering home runs and carry teams on his back but has a very human addiction problem. So, if the Angels are to fulfill their promise — and they are a team with plenty of that — the players need to create their own haven of togetherness in the clubhouse. It's almost too much to expect Manager Mike Scioscia to lead this, because he will always be seen as management. He can manage, but he can't be soul mate. And who would be the head of the haven? A few years ago, that would have been a no-brainer. Torii Hunter was an Angel, and he was unique. He handled the media, welcomed rookies and set the tone in the room. Actually, it is still a no-brainer. Last week, when the Angels were attempting, once again, to beat the Kansas City Royals — something they are odds-on favorites to do before 2020 — there was a telling incident. Albert Pujols had doubled and Mike Trout came sliding across home plate to score. Suddenly, Trout was having words with young Kansas City pitcher Yordano Ventura. There could have been punches, but it was mostly a typical baseball incident — lots of threatened testosterone and no use thereof. But, as both benches half-heartedly emptied, Pujols came running in full sprint from second base, getting right in the middle of it all. Consider that Pujols is 35 and in his 15th major league season. Consider that he has seen more silly push-and-shove baseball fights than maybe any other current player and could easily have just shrugged, yawned and stayed on second base. Consider that he is Dominican, that Ventura is Dominican, and at 23, Ventura would, and did, listen to the harsh words Pujols apparently had for his countryman's behavior toward one of Pujols' teammates. It appeared to be, in one quick burst, a fatherly lecture to Ventura and a big brother looking out for Trout. This wasn't just anybody. It was Albert Pujols, whose eventual election into baseball's Hall of Fame is a no-brainer. There's that word again.

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Angels players will always say the same thing. They just want to play games, win a lot, go to the World Series and be left alone to just do it. Today's world doesn't allow for that. Social media are everywhere. Regular media keep plugging away too. Money, issues, greed, league rules, players' associations, mediators, commissioners, team presidents and general managers and angry fans and happy fans are unavoidable. You can't turn off the noise. This isn't 1927, when Babe Ruth did whatever he wanted and nobody wrote about it or even dared discuss it. This is 2015. The Josh Hamilton mess is not likely to calm down or untangle for some time, and the only way that doesn't infiltrate players' psyche and affect their performance is to establish a team cocoon. Who can best lead them there is a no-brainer.

Mike Scioscia hopes Josh Hamilton 'is getting the help he needs'

By Mike DiGiovanna

While Angels owner Arte Moreno has taken a hard-line stance toward Josh Hamilton, whose substance-abuse relapse has triggered an ugly dispute between the player and the organization, Manager Mike Scioscia’s comments and actions have struck a tone of reconciliation toward the outfielder. Whether that is a factor in Hamilton ever playing again for the Angels remains to be seen, but by reaching out to Hamilton as the team is set to be in Houston later this week, Scioscia is at least treating the outfielder like he is still a member of the organization. Hamilton has been rehabilitating from right-shoulder surgery in Houston and has not been with the team so far this season. The Angels have an off-day Thursday before opening a three-game series against the Astros on Friday night, and Scioscia plans to touch base with Hamilton, most likely in person. “There are absolutely times you want to sit down and get a personal connection with a player,” Scioscia said before Wednesday’s game against the Texas Rangers. “If it happens, it happens. The important thing is communication, knowing that a support unit is there. I’m going to feel better if there’s that support group there and he’s getting the help he needs.” An arbitrator determined that Hamilton did not violate baseball’s drug policy and cannot be suspended, but Moreno has claimed the team included language in Hamilton’s contract that forbade him from drinking or using drugs. Asked if Hamilton would play another game for the club, Moreno said, “I will not say that.” He added that he might challenge Hamilton’s ability to collect his full salary -- there is $83 million left on the final three years of Hamilton’s contract. The players union responded by saying such language had not been approved and that it would “not supersede the provisions of the joint drug agreement and/or the basic agreement.”

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Hamilton was not issued a locker in the Angel Stadium clubhouse, and merchandise bearing his name and number has been pulled from stadium team stores. At least one player, pitcher and union representative C.J. Wilson, has been critical of the team’s handling of Hamilton, and several players have expressed frustration that though Hamilton was deemed by an arbitrator to be in baseball’s good graces, he is not with the team. “We’ve talked to some players,” Scioscia said. “This has been a process for all of us. We have to concentrate on what’s here and how we need to play the game. That’s where our focus has to be. “That teammate, player-to-player bond is strong in our clubhouse, so it doesn’t surprise me that some guys would wonder about that, but it’s no distraction.”

Another battle possible over Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton

By Bill Shaikin

Though the players' association insists nothing in Josh Hamilton's contract would allow Angels owner Arte Moreno to recoup at least some of his investment in the troubled outfielder, the commissioner's office does not agree with the union's stance. If Moreno pursues the matter, the commissioner's office and the union could face off in a second arbitration hearing on Hamilton. Moreno said last week that he might try to enforce contract language that he said protected the Angels against a substance-abuse relapse by Hamilton. Within hours, the union issued a sharply worded statement that said provisions of baseball's collectively bargained drug policy "supersede all other player contract provisions and explicitly prevent clubs from exactly the type of action Mr. Moreno alluded to." However, MLB chief legal officer Dan Halem told the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday: "We obviously have a different view than the players' association regarding the club's rights under these circumstances." Halem declined to comment further. Hamilton, who is rehabilitating a surgically repaired shoulder, is not expected to be able to play for at least another month. Moreno is not believed to be considering any imminent action. The time for such action would have been immediately after an arbitrator ruled Hamilton had not violated his drug treatment program by reporting a relapse and could not be suspended. That ruling came April 3, three days before the Angels opened their season. As Fox Sports first reported, a player's annual salary becomes fully guaranteed on opening day, leaving Moreno liable for the $23 million he owes Hamilton this season. The Angels owe Hamilton $30 million in each of the next two seasons. Two people familiar with Hamilton's contract say it contains at least three provisions Moreno could use to pursue his case, including one that would enable the club to void the deal if Hamilton could not

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perform because he had engaged in "dangerous activities" that include drug and alcohol abuse. The Angels also could cite a provision that would allow the club to walk away if it determined Hamilton was not in "first-class condition" because of substance abuse. Although such language is not uncommon in player contracts, it is uncertain whether the Angels — and perhaps the commissioner's office — could persuade an arbitrator that the team should be relieved of Hamilton's contract if he is physically ready to play. Moreno last week pointedly declined to say that Hamilton would play another game for the Angels. "I will not say that," Moreno said. Moreno could release Hamilton any day he wanted, but only by paying the $83 million remaining on his contract. The two sides could agree on a buyout, although the union generally permits a discount only if the player gets some other benefit. That benefit could be free agency now rather than waiting until 2017, when Hamilton would be 36, but the value could be negligible given his uneven performance even before the relapse. Also, since Moreno has signaled Hamilton might never play in Anaheim again, any club interested in signing or trading for Hamilton might well wait to see if the Angels simply release him.

FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Angels' Matt Joyce looks to get turned around from bad start BY JEFF FLETCHER / STAFF WRITER

HOUSTON – Matt Joyce can finally relax. The "highlights" of his short Angels career, up until Wednesday, had been a spring training of nagging injuries and twice nearly colliding with Mike Trout. He had his most productive day with his new team, reaching base four times and driving in two runs in the Angels’ 10-2 victory over the Texas Rangers. “It just takes a little bit of pressure off me and a little weight off my shoulders,” Joyce said. “I was trying a little too hard defensively and at the plate. Sometimes when you try too hard in baseball, it goes the other way. It was nice to come up with a big hit there and relax a litt le bit.” The Angels acquired Joyce from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Kevin Jepsen last December. They got him to DH, perhaps just against right-handed pitchers. However, Josh Hamilton’s absence not only moved Joyce into left field, but the cleanup spot. So Joyce, who is also in his contract year, was suddenly with a new team, batting behind Trout and Albert Pujols. During spring training, he had trouble with his hip and his hamstring, resulting in uneven playing time.

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And then he started the season hitting .185 in the first eight games. On opening day, he and Trout nearly collided going for a ball that probably wasn’t catchable. On Tuesday night, they had a miscommunication that resulted in a game-changing double dropping between them. It was a bad start, but Joyce, 30, knew it was just a start. “Guys who have played this game understand it’s a long season,” Joyce said. “You have a long way to go. You aren’t going to have a great week every week. There are going to be ups and downs. It can be a rollercoaster, but you keep showing up, keep preparing, keep coming out every day to win.”

Angels Notes: No decision yet on Garrett Richards BY JEFF FLETCHER / STAFF WRITER

ARLINGTON, Texas – Mike Scioscia isn’t ready to pencil Garrett Richards into the rotation just yet. “We’ll evaluate him when he gets here and see what the next step will be,” Scioscia said Wednesday morning, a day after Richards pitched five innings in a Triple-A game. Richards will meet the Angels when they arrive in Houston later Wednesday. Richards gave up three runs in his outing, which ended after a leadoff single in the sixth, and he needed 92 pitches. It was his first regular-season game at any level since undergoing knee surgery last August. He had pitched in four previous games, but all were in the controlled environment of spring training. “It took him a lot of work to get through the five innings, 90-plus pitches,” Scioscia said. “But his stamina was there. (Pitching coach Mike Butcher) is reviewing the video right now to see where some of the pitches were that got away from him, and what was hit. And move from there.” The Angels have not decided on a starter for Sunday, which is the first day Richards could rejoin the rotation. If they decide to give Richards another minor league game, Matt Shoemaker would presumably start Sunday, and the Angels would need a fifth starter next Tuesday. It would likely be either Andrew Heaney or Nick Tropeano. WILK UP The Angels recalled Adam Wilk, product of Cypress High, to add some coverage to their bullpen, which was taxed by Drew Rucinski’s short outing on Tuesday night. Wilk took the roster spot of Rucinski, who was optioned following the game. Wilk, 27, first reached the big leagues with the Detroit Tigers in 2011. He then requested his release so he could spend a year pitching in South Korea. He came back and pitched in the Pittsburgh Pirates system in 2014 before signing as a minor league free agent with the Angels last winter. Wilk, who grew up rooting for the Angels, may not make it back to Angel Stadium, though. If the Angels recall Richards to start on Sunday, he would likely take Wilk’s spot. If Richards stays in the minors, Wilk could stick around until the Angels recall someone to start on Tuesday. Wilk pitched two innings, allowing a homer to Adam Rosales, in his Angels debut.

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Tyler Skaggs was moved to the 60-day disabled list to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Wilk. ALSO Mike Trout had three hits and he walked once, reaching base at least four times for the 42nd time in his career. Trout has hit safely in all nine games... Matt Joyce also reached safely four times, with two hits and two walks. He drove in two runs with a double in the Angels' six-run second inning... Kole Calhoun was not in the lineup for the fourth consecutive game because of a tight right calf. Calhoun said he expects to be able to play on Friday in Houston… Albert Pujols, who had two RBI, started at designated hitter for the first time this season... The Angels lost a replay challenge in the fourth inning. Umpires ruled a foul ball and the Angels believed the pitch hit David Freese. The call was upheld after a 3 minute, 10 second review. The Angels have challenged four plays and only had one call reversed.

Final: Angels bats come to life in 10-2 victory over Rangers BY JEFF FLETCHER / STAFF WRITER

ARLINGTON, Texas – Before the Angels’ game Wednesday, Manager Mike Scioscia said their hitters were still “trying to get into the flow.” And then the flow became a flood. The Angels racked up 13 hits in a 10-2 victory over the Texas Rangers, an outburst good enough to raise their team average from .215 to .231. The Angels had been hitting .179 with runners in scoring position, but a 6-for-17 performance raised that to .232. Numbers can change quickly when the sample size is still so small, which is also why Scioscia didn’t seem too worried about the relatively modest offensive output. Prior to Wednesday’s game, the only player who had hit consistently well was Mike Trout, who continued his torrid start with three more hits and a walk. It was the 42nd time – an appropriate number on a day all players wore Jackie Robinson’s No. 42 – that Trout had reached base at least four times in a game. Trout is hitting .438. Albert Pujols, Matt Joyce and David Freese each drove in two runs to power the Angels, who did most of their damage in the second inning. The Angels scored six runs in the inning, equaling their most runs in any of the previous eight games. Staked to a 6-0 lead before he pitched the second inning, Hector Santiago cruised to one of his best outings with the Angels.

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Santiago gave up one run in seven innings, allowing just four hits and two walks. He threw 103 pitches.

Hector Santiago is a cut above Rangers in Angels' 10-2 victory BY JEFF FLETCHER / STAFF WRITER

ARLINGTON, Texas – For a guy who once jumped into a swimming pool in his full uniform to wash off a bad start, an unusual haircut was nothing. Especially not one that, to Hector Santiago’s unique brand of thinking, actually he lped him pitch better. “I just do some crazy things sometimes,” Santiago said after pitching seven dominant innings in the Angels’ 10-2 victory over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday afternoon. Santiago lifted his hat and showed a reverse Mohawk, a 2-inch wide strip of bare skull running down the middle of his head. To him, it was like a long straight highway that reminded Santiago to “stay in your lane.” One of the points of emphasis for Santiago during his winter of self-discovery about his delivery was making sure that his stride took him directly toward the plate, not to either side. On Wednesday, every time he touched his cap – remembering not to take it off or the world would see what he’d done – the message was reinforced. “Just drive everything through the zone, instead of getting balls running in and out, those crazy pitches that you don’t know where you’re going,” Santiago said. “So just stay in your lane.” The idea came to Santiago after the Angels were swept by the Kansas City Royals last weekend. He, Mike Trout and Joe Smith were sitting together talking about a way to “change it up,” Santiago said. Trout suggested a reverse Mohawk, and even offered Santiago $1,000 if he would do it. Santiago said he didn’t need any financial incentive. “You must not know me very well,” Santiago said. “I will definitely do it.” This, after all, is a guy who jumped in his pool after a bad game … in spring training. He also took a shower in his uniform after a bad regular-season game. Santiago shaved his head entirely after the game, only because he said he had to represent the team in a dignified way to board the plane to Houston. However, he promised that the “lane” will be back by the time he starts again. The hairstyle aside, it might also help Santiago to repeat this performance if the Angels can score him another six runs by the second inning. They finished with a 13-hit attack that raised their season average from .215 to .231. Mike Trout continued his torrid start with three more hits and a walk, raising his average to .438. It was the 42nd time that Trout had reached base at least four times in a game. The offensive support allowed Santiago to pound the strike zone. Normally an inefficient pitcher, Santiago got through seven innings with 103 pitches. He issued just two walks and struck out five.

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“When he gets into the zone, his stuff plays well,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “When he gets into trouble, he gets behind and gives guys too many good looks. Today, those guys can swing the bats, and he made some terrific pitches.”

Mike Scioscia says Josh Hamilton's rehab not slowed by absence from Angels BY JEFF FLETCHER / STAFF WRITER

ARLINGTON, Texas – Although Josh Hamilton’s rehab from shoulder surgery has taken longer than initial estimates, Manager Mike Scioscia said Wednesday morning that Hamilton’s absence from the team is not slowing the process.

“He wouldn’t be doing any more if he was with us,” Scioscia said. “Is he being held back by not being here? No, that’s not the case.”

Hamilton has been rehabbing from a Feb. 4 right AC joint repair in Houston, according to the Angels, rather than with the team.

It's been unclear whether the decision for Hamilton to rehab on his own was Hamilton's or the Angels'.

When Hamilton initially had surgery, the team estimated he would be out six to eight weeks. The surgery was 10 weeks ago, and Hamilton is only hitting off a tee, Scioscia has said.

“The surgery needs time to heal,” Scioscia said. “There’s a range and we’re still within that range.”

Scioscia also reiterated Wednesday that he hopes to see Hamilton when the Angels are in Houston this weekend. While he said he’s not sure if he will meet face-to-face with Hamilton, he said he’s confident that he will “communicate” with him in some way.

“As a manager you always want to follow up a player and see where they are,” Scioscia said. “If he’s doing rehab off site, and you are in that town, you want to step in and see him. I have done it with a lot of players. You just want to get caught up on some things face to face. Whether we do it via telephone or in person, we will hopefully touch base.”

Hamilton has not been with the Angels since before his surgery. Shortly after the surgery, he self -reported a relapse of drug and alcohol use to Major League Baseball. An arbitrator ruled that it did not constitute a violation of his treatment program, though, so there could be no discipline against him.

Owner Arte Moreno has said the Angels have contractual means to have Hamilton’s contract voided because of the drug use, but the union issued a statement that such language is not permitted by the collective bargaining agreement.

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FROM ANGELS.COM

Angels cruise past Rangers after 6-run second

By Alden Gonzalez and T.R. Sullivan ARLINGTON -- The Angels scored six runs off of Rangers starter Anthony Ranaudo in the second inning and went on to a 10-2 victory on Wednesday afternoon. The Angels ended up taking two of three from the Rangers this week and have won 11 of their last 13 in Arlington. Angels starter Hector Santiago earned his first win of the season by allowing just one run in seven innings. He gave up four hits and two walks while striking out five. Ranaudo was gone with two outs in the second after allowing eight of 13 batters to reach base. Angels outfielder Mike Trout went 3-for-4 to give him a nine-game hitting streak and a .438 batting average to start the season. The Angels had 13 hits on the afternoon. Catcher Carlos Corporan accounted for the Rangers' only run off of Santiago with a home run in the fifth inning. Adam Rosales homered in the ninth off of Angels reliever Adam Wilk. The Nos. 2-5 hitters in the Angels' lineup -- Trout, Albert Pujols, Matt Joyce and David Freese -- went a combined 9-for-16 to spark an offense that had been waiting to erupt. "I think it's just something that we needed," Joyce said, "just that confidence to know that we can score a bunch of runs. That's huge for our confidence." MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Pulling away early: The Angels matched their season high for runs in one inning, plating six runs on five hits and two walks in the top of the second. Johnny Giavotella dumped a two-run single into left-center field, Erick Aybar brought in a run on a safety squeeze, Pujols notched an RBI single when his grounder snuck under the glove of Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus and Joyce followed with a two-run double. Ranaudo, starting in place of the injured Derek Holland, exited after recording only five outs. Missing the pickoff: The Rangers had a chance to cut the Angels' rally short in the second. It came with the Angels leading 2-0, with one out and Collin Cowgill at second, Giavotella at first and Aybar at the plate. After Aybar swung and missed at a 1-0 pitch, the Rangers caught Cowgill too far off second. But Corporan threw too quickly to second and Cowgill bolted to third, beating the throw for a stolen base. That set up the safety squeeze, but the Angels scored three more runs after that. "I said coming out of Spring Training there would be some inconsistency given the experience we have in some areas," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "It's still early. Part of this is a work in progress. Guys are still grinding and working. I feel we're trending in the right direction." Santiago cruises: Santiago isn't necessarily regarded for his pitch efficiency, but given the early cushion, the 27-year-old left-hander attacked the strike zone and got through seven innings with only 103 pitches, and lowered his ERA to 2.92. QUOTABLE

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"I may just get hits all year. I like getting hits. Whatever I don't do, you guys will talk about it." -- Prince Fielder, who is hitting .400 after 10 games but is still looking for his first home run. "The other day at home, me and Trouty were talking after we got swept by Kansas City and said, 'Man, we have to change it up.' I think Joe Smith was there, too. I was like, 'I'm going to change it up; I'm going to do something different. I'm going to do a reverse mohawk.' They're like, 'No you won't.' 'You guys must not know me.'" -- Santiago, recalling the conversation that led to him shaving a line down the middle of his head before his Wednesday start. SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS Trout honored Jackie Robinson in a different way on Wednesday -- for the 42nd time in his career, the Angels' center fielder reached base four or more times in a game (not including reaching on an error). REPLAY REVIEW Angels manager Mike Scioscia lost his challenge in the fourth inning, when umpires upheld their initial call on a foul ball for Freese. Anthony Bass' fastball grazed the third baseman's left hand, where he wears a guard, and Scioscia was hoping for a hit by pitch that would've loaded the bases. But the hand is part of the bat, so the count remained 2-2 on Freese, who ultimately grounded out to end the inning. WHAT'S NEXT Angels: The Angels are off Thursday, then start a three-game weekend series against the Astros at Minute Maid Park. Jered Weaver will take the ball on Friday, opposite right-hander Roberto Hernandez, in hopes of getting back on track. The Angels ace has given up 10 runs on 15 hits in 10 1/3 innings in his first two starts against the Mariners and Royals. Game time is 5:10 p.m. PT. Rangers: Yovani Gallardo pitches for the Rangers at 9:05 p.m. CT on Friday when they open a three-game series with the Mariners at Safeco Field. The Mariners are expected to pitch left-hander J.A. Happ. The Rangers were 10-9 against the Mariners last season, including 5-4 at Safeco.

Angels finally put it in high gear

By Alden Gonzalez ARLINGTON -- The Angels' offense was finally starting to show signs of life over the last couple of days, putting together better at-bats and squaring a lot of balls up without much to show for it. Soon, they figured, those line drives would find holes and the lineup -- the same lineup that led the Majors in runs last season, with two notable exceptions -- would really get going. They're hoping Wednesday's 10-run, 13-hit barrage at Globe Life Park was the start of something. "It only takes that one at-bat to get people going," Mike Trout said after the Angels beat the Rangers, 10-2. "Just to get some confidence back, it helped. We were having great at-bats." The Angels tied their season high in runs (six) in the top of the second, had 17 at-bats with runners in scoring position and raised their team batting average by 16 points, from .215 to .231. "We have to hit better than we did in the first eight games," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Hopefully, today was a start."

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Through the first eight games, the offense consisted of Trout and little else. The superstar center fielder is batting .438 and has hit safely in all nine games, but the Angels entered Wednesday ranked 25th in the Majors in runs scored. Finally, Trout got some help. The three hitters behind him -- Albert Pujols, Matt Joyce and David Freese -- combined to go 6-for-12 with six RBIs against Anthony Ranaudo and the Rangers' bullpen. Pujols entered with a .148 batting average and felt "a little jumpy" on Wednesday, but thinks he's close to getting right again. Joyce entered with a .185 batting average and believes his first multi-hit game with the Angels will relieve some stress. "It just takes a little bit of pressure off me and a little weight off my shoulders," Joyce said after going 2-for-3 with a double. "I was trying a little too hard, defensively and at the plate." The Angels no longer have Howie Kendrick and have no idea if they'll ever have Josh Hamilton, but they talked throughout spring about their belief that they still have a high-powered offense. Wednesday provided a necessary reminder. "Obviously, you're missing Josh and you're missing Howie, but we can't think about the past," Pujols said. "We have to think about what we have. We had a great spring, and I know what we're capable of doing. The main thing is to be healthy right now, and we'll see what happens after that."

Weaver hopes third start is the charm against Astros

By Alden Gonzalez The Angels begin their first series in Houston on Friday, following an off-day for both clubs, with Jered Weaver on the mound against Astros right-hander Roberto Hernandez. Weaver gave up four home runs in his first start at Minute Maid Park last year, and he is hoping to take a step in the right direction on Friday, after giving up 10 runs on 15 hits in 10 1/3 innings in his firs t two starts this year. Hernandez, who owns a 2.28 ERA in 67 career innings against the Angels, gave up five runs (one earned) on five hits and four walks in 4 2/3 innings against the Rangers on Saturday. The Angels won 12 of their 19 games against the Astros last season, but Houston won five of nine at home. Three things to know about this game • Angels right fielder Kole Calhoun has been out of the starting lineup for the last four games because of a strained right calf. The 27-year-old leadoff hitter hit a pinch-hit RBI single on Monday, and he is hopeful of returning to the lineup on Friday. • Astros second baseman Jose Altuve has only three hits in 16 career at-bats against Weaver, but shortstop Jed Lowrie is 6-for-22 with a home run. Albert Pujols' 45 regular-season home runs against Houston are the second most all time against them. Hank Aaron hit 46.

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• Friday will mark the seventh of 15 straight games against American League West opponents for the Astros, who will see their division rivals over the next couple of weeks. Houston went 35-41 against AL West foes last season.

Richards' next step to be determined by Angels

By Alden Gonzalez and T.R. Sullivan ARLINGTON -- The Angels still aren't sure if Garrett Richards' start for Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday night -- when he gave up five runs on seven hits and four walks in five innings -- will be his last before returning to the Major League rotation. Richards will meet with the team in Houston on Wednesday night or Thursday afternoon to decide what the next step will be. Richards left a lot of balls up in Fresno, Calif., but the high altitudes of the Pacific Coast League tend to produce that. The important thing is he came out of it healthy -- and even fielded a bunt. "Stuff looked good," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "I think his command maybe wasn't as crisp at some points, but he moved well. I think he felt good. We'll evaluate him when he gets here and see what the next step will be. "It took him a lot of work to get through the five innings, 90-plus pitches, but his stamina was there." Richards could return for Sunday's series finale against the Astros, which would keep him on the normal four days' rest and put Matt Shoemaker on six days' rest at home against the A's on Monday. • The Angels recalled left-hander Adam Wilk from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday morning, after sending Drew Rucinski down on Tuesday night. Wilk, born and raised in Orange County, gave up a solo homer in the last two innings of the Angels' 10-2 win. The 27-year-old will add length to the bullpen until the team needs the roster spot for Richards or another starter. • Albert Pujols started his first game at designated hitter on Wednesday, after playing first base in the Angels' first eight games. Pujols started 116 games at first base last season and posted a .325/.372/.571 slash line at DH.

Santiago inspired by No. 42, new 'do on Jackie Robinson Day

By Alden Gonzalez ARLINGTON -- Hector Santiago was giddy about the fact that his second start of the season coincided with Jackie Robinson Day. He's an avid jersey collector and a great admirer of baseball's rich history, so the Angels starter was hoping that pitching on this special day would push him "a little further." Then he took it a little further with his clippers. The night before Wednesday's start against the Rangers, Santiago shaved a two-inch line down the middle of his head. It became a constant reminder of his daily quest to maintain a direct line toward home plate with his delivery, and it helped him throw seven innings of one-run ball in the Angels' 10-2 win at Globe Life Park.

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That's what Santiago thinks, at least. "Every time I touched my hat, I thought, 'Stay in your lane,'" he said. "It was easy because I couldn't take off my hat." Inspired by Jackie Robinson, buoyed by a new haircut and helped by an early six-run lead, Santiago gave up four hits, walked two batters, struck out five and needed only 103 pitches to record 21 outs -- after requiring 100 to record 16 outs against the Royals five days earlier. Santiago stayed inside the clubhouse while the Angels plated six runs in the top of the second, never once looked at the scoreboard and didn't even know what inning it was when he gave up a solo homer to Carlos Corporan in the fifth. He just wanted to focus on attacking hitters, and he wound up throwing first-pitch strikes to 19 of the 27 he faced. "When he gets into the zone, his stuff plays well, and when he gets into trouble, he gets behind and gives guys too many good looks," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Those guys can swing the bats, and he made some terrific pitches." Santiago, Mike Trout and Joe Smith got to talking after the Angels were swept at home by the Royals last weekend. The consensus, according to Santiago: "Man, we have to change it up." So Santiago promised he would, and told them he'd go with the reverse mohawk for his next start -- but nobody believed him. "You guys must not know me," Santiago told them. "I will definitely do it." There was a method to his madness. During bullpen sessions, Santiago will draw a straight line from each side of the pitching rubber. It's a lane that helps keep his herky-jerky delivery straight, a concept that allows Santiago to "just drive everything through the zone, instead of getting balls running in and out." The Angels' strict dress code on travel days forced Santiago to shave his entire head postgame, even though superstition dictates that he not mess with it. But he did keep his No. 42 jersey from Jackie Robinson Day. Santiago has every No. 42 jersey he's ever worn, among the 400 or so others he's compiled over the years. "It's fun to get a win," Santiago said. "Now I can write 'First Jackie Robinson Day Win' on my jersey."

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FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hector Santiago stays perfect in Texas as Los Angeles Angels pound Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas >> Mike Trout helped convince Hector Santiago into getting a reverse Mohawk after the left-hander lost his first start and the Angels were swept in their first home series. “Stay in your lane,” Santiago said, explaining what the haircut symbolized. “Just like I draw the lane out on the mound. Stay straight ahead.” Santiago never seems to need much direction in Texas, where he has never lost as a starter after the Angels’ series-clinching 10-2 win over the Rangers on Wednesday. Trout had three hits, scored twice and drove in a run for the Angels, who took two of three at Texas after losing three straight at home to defending AL champion Kansas City. The Angels have won 15 of theirlast 19 games against Texas — and 11 of 13 in Arlington. The Angels had season highs for runs and hits (13). “We went out there and put some runs on the board for Santiago.” Trout said. “One through nine is coming in.” Santiago (1-1) allowed one run and four hits over seven innings, with five strikeouts and two walks. The left-hander is 4-0 with a 2.15 ERA in five career starts at Texas, one win came with the Chicago White Sox in 2013. He joined the Angels last season. The Angels went ahead to stay with a six-run second off Anthony Ranaudo (0-1), the right-hander making his Texas debut while starting in place of injured Derek Holland. Ranaudo was recalled from Round Rock before the game, then optioned back to the Triple-A team afterward. While the Angels had their early offensive outburst, Santiago went down in the tunnel because he didn’t want to know how big of a lead he had. “I know we’re up. As long as I give up zeroes, I know we’re in a good place,” he said. “I gave up the home run, but I didn’t see exactly where we were at. Even in the seventh inning, I didn’t know the score until I came out of the game.” By that point, it was 10-1. Erick Aybar had a sacrifice squeeze bunt that plated a run in the second before Trout drew a two-out walk and scored on Matt Joyce’s double that made it 6-0 and chase Ranaudo. It was 7-0 after Trout’s RBI single in the fourth. Albert Pujols had a pair of RBI singles and David Freese added a two-run single for the Angels. The only run allowed by Santiago came when Carlos Corporan lined a homer into the right-field seats in the fifth inning. It was Corporan’s first homer. In the previous five games, Angels starters had been tagged for 22 earned runs over 24 1-3 innings.

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SCIOSCIA HOPEFUL Angels manager Mike Scioscia is “really confident” about having some communication with Josh Hamilton when the team is in Houston for a three-game series starting Friday, where the slugger has been rehabbing from shoulder surgery. Scioscia, who hasn’t seen Hamilton since after last season, didn’t say if that would include a face-to-face meeting. “You just want to get caught up on some things,” Scioscia said. “Whether we do it via telephone or in person, we’ll hopefully touch base. ... I’m really confident we’re going to communicate in some way.” Hamilton hasn’t been with the team since right shoulder surgery before spring training, and his self-reported relapse into substance abuse. Scioscia said he has spoken with Hamilton, but didn’t elaborate. Scioscia said earlier this week that he was hopeful of meeting in person with Hamilton. But Hamilton is not expected to visit the Angels clubhouse while they are in Houston. When asked when Hamilton might be able to get back in the Angels lineup, Scioscia said that is one of the things that is “still open-ended” and depends on what baseball activities he is able to do. “His surgery, there’s time that he needs to heal, and there’s a range, and we’re still within that range,” Scioscia said. “It’s not like it’s outside of that range. We’ll have to take in account of just where he is.” Scioscia said the important part is communication, and that is he’s hopeful Hamilton is getting the help and support he needs. Major League Baseball will not discipline Hamilton for his self-reported relapse. A a four-person treatment board created by the sport’s joint drug program with the union deadlocked on whether Hamilton was subject to discipline, and an arbitrator appointed to break the tie ruled he was not. Scioscia, in his 16th season as the Angels manager, said his plans to communicate with Hamilton while in Houston are not out of the norm for how he handles any player who is away from the team. “Over my course here, you always would check in on a player. If he was doing rehab offsite, if you were in that town, you would stop in and see him,” Scioscia said. “I’ve done with a lot of players over the years.”

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FROM ESPN

Rapid Reaction: Angels 10, Rangers 2

By Randy Jennings ARLINGTON, Texas -- Hector Santiago handcuffed the Texas Rangers on four hits and Mike Trout accounted for three of the Angels' 13 hits in a 10-2 Los Angeles victory Wednesday afternoon before 25,757 at Globe Life Park. The Angels (4-5) climbed a half-game ahead of Texas (4-6) in the American League West standings. The Rangers went 2-4 in the season's first homestand. What happened: The Angels sent 10 batters to the plate and scored six runs in the second inning, sending Rangers first-time starter Anthony Ranaudo to an early shower. That was more than enough support for Santiago. The Los Angeles lefty did not allow more than one Ranger on base in any of his seven innings. No luck: Ranaudo didn't make it out of the second inning in his first Rangers start. He was hit hard and luck was not with him, either. Third baseman Adrian Beltre was inches away from gloving Chris Iannetta's double. Center fielder Leonys Martin likewise came close on a dive for Johnny Giavotella's two-run single. To register five outs Ranaudo needed 62 pitches. Going deep: Batting from the right side, switch hitter Carlos Corporan connected on his first Rangers home run in the fifth inning. Catchers have produced two of Texas' three home runs at Globe Life Park this season. Adam Rosales ended an 0-for-24 stretch dating back to last season with a solo home run in the ninth. Deceptive line: Anthony Bass' pitching line might not show it (3 2/3 innings, four earned runs), but the long reliever had a solid outing, limiting the Angels to one run until tiring in his fourth inning of work. Defensive gem: On a day when the Rangers looked lethargic in the field, one fine play stood out. Second baseman Rougned Odor went behind the bag to stab David Freese's grounder and then executed a jump throw to first from the outfield grass for the final out of the fourth inning. Up next: After their first off day of the season Thursday, the Rangers travel to Seattle to open a weekend series against the Mariners at 9:10 p.m. Friday. Yovani Gallardo (1-1, 5.59 ERA) makes his third start for Texas. He'll be opposed by left-hander J.A. Happ (0-0, 2.84).

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FROM THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS

Cowlishaw: Why the Rangers should trade for Josh Hamilton By Tim Cowlishaw Now that the Rangers and Angels have finished playing each other, they should take the next step. And that’s talking to each other. About Josh Hamilton. It's not out of the question. It's not crazy. Certain aspects of a Hamilton-back-to-Texas deal make a lot of sense. There are three things to consider here: What it would do for the Rangers if they, say, agreed to take on $10 million of Hamilton’s salary each of the next three years; what that would do for Angels management which clearly wants to get rid of him and what it would do for Josh. Let’s start with the easy part. For Hamilton, it would provide a kick-start to the final chapter of his major league career. You think he can’t handle an apology for his remarks about this being a football town? You think he hasn’t dragged himself into and out of holes a hell of a lot worse in his life? Hamilton still has the house here. He has a ballpark that conjures the finest memories of his career here. Even in 2012, when fans booed him during the one-game playoff with Baltimore after he had sat and slumped his way through September, Hamilton was fifth in the AL MVP voting. He would consider a trade to Texas, literally, a gift from God. Let’s move on to the Angels. Owner Arte Moreno, the man who gave Hamilton the five-year $125 million contract when his baseball people were telling him “no,” can’t stand Hamilton now. He refused to even confirm to reporters last week that Hamilton would play for the Angels when he is done rehabbing a shoulder injury, presumably next month. He has had Hamilton's locker removed. The Angels owe Hamilton $83 million from now through 2017. The contract is guaranteed. The club may contend that his relapse this spring voids the contract, but given that Hamilton’s addiction struggles are covered in baseball's collective bargaining agreement, the Angels won’t win. So their options are to watch him struggle or pay him to do nothing or release him and pay the full weight of the contract or trade him. There won't be a lot of takers out there. But why shouldn't the Rangers be one? Rangers manager Jeff Banister has been saddled with a virtually powerless outfield. The trio of Ryan Rua, Jake Smolinski and Carlos Peguero — all battling for one spot, essentially — have zero home runs in 43 at-bats. It’s not like Shin-Soo Choo and Leonys Martin bring legitimate power to the other outfield spots. What could Hamilton reasonably be expected to hit here?

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Well, he’s not going to reprise his 2010 MVP season. But examine what he did for two years in Anaheim which were, by and large, considered a disaster. When healthy in 2013, he delivered 21 home runs, 79 RBIs and a .250 average. That’s not what the Angels thought they were getting for an average of $25 million per year, to be sure. But take those numbers and inflate them for playing 81 home games here as opposed to a much more pitcher-friendly Anaheim park. On a team with a real lack of hitting, those numbers would be welcome. Even last year, when injuries limited him to 89 games and he finished with 10 home runs, 44 RBIs and a .263 average, Hamilton was batting .351 after 20 games. He has always been and will always be a hot streak-cold streak player, but those hot streaks would produce greater results in Arlington. Hamilton would add to a lineup that’s already heavy with left-handed bats. That’s not a deficiency. Right now the other AL teams have 51 right-handed starters and 19 lefties. It wouldn't be a bad thing to stack your lineup against the pitchers you see more than 70 percent of the time. Would a Hamilton trade be a gamble for GM Jon Daniels to consider? Sure, but he has rolled the dice on other moves and come out worse. Let me ask another question. Would you trade Choo straight up for Hamilton, no strings attached? Choo is owed $116 million from now through 2020. The Rangers would save $33 million in the long run. The Angels would get three years from Choo after Hamilton’s contract has expired. Frankly, I don't think the Angels even do this deal. But maybe they would. Regardless, the Rangers taking on $10 million a year of Hamilton’s contract would either add some pop to Banister’s powerless lineup or it would provide another name for the Rangers’ impressive disabled list. I feel like Hamilton would be on the field enough, motivated enough that he would bring some punch to this team. And he would at least provide entertainment. That’s more than you can expect from most of this current Rangers outfield. Judging by attendance figures, a lot of you already aren't expecting much.