Anderson close to returning

[Providence A's]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-...adlines-sports

While the Angels wring their hands over Steve Finley — should they permanently bench the struggling center fielder or play him in hopes his bat will come around? — there was some encouraging news on the offensive front Saturday.

Garret Anderson, who has missed seven straight and nine of the last 11 games because of tendinitis in his left knee and irritation in his lower back, hit soft toss before Saturday's game, the first time the left fielder has swung a bat in a week.

Anderson also ran, played catch and did agility drills, and Manager Mike Scioscia said as long as Anderson has no setbacks today, "he feels like he's at a level where he should be able to get in the lineup during the Baltimore series."

This would be a help, but Anderson has been on and off hurt for the last 2 years, so he may not be close to 100%

[riverdunesrat]

GA went 0-4 last night and 1-4 tonight.....it can only get better, right?

[realmofotalk]

I haven't checked out the Angels depth chart, but if GA and Finley are down, that would mean Jeff DaVanon and Juan Rivera in the outfield. That's not a first division outfield.

[riverdunesrat]

Rivera has been in left has made some great defensive plays and has had a hot bat. Figgy has been mostly in center and well......he's figgy....Q is back to take 3rd and Izzy comes in late innings. It's all covered, but the surging offense....enter GA, right? Even Vladdy has been quiet because he's got 299 HR's and is overswinging and feels the pressure of hitting that milestone....be glad when that is over.....