Santana feels better after a comebacker
Ervin Santana stretched his right arm and smiled.
“It’s better, better than I thought,” he said. “I can move it and everything.”
A day after being struck on the right shoulder by a second-inning comeback line drive hit by Alexei Ramirez of the Chicago White Sox, Santana was able to return to playing catch Thursday.
Manager Mike Scioscia said it’s possible Santana could keep his normal turn in the spring training rotation — Monday against the Colorado Rockies.
“I’m the guy who likes to compete; I want to keep going out there, get your work,” Santana said.
Santana left after 32 pitches in Wednesday’s game, and was set to pitch 45. Roster trim
The Angels assigned 10 players to the minor leagues, placing the major league roster at 43 players.
Seven pitchers, including impressive 22-year-old Ariel Pena, were moved down. Pena and Johnny Hellweg, who surrendered a lead to the White Sox on Wednesday, were sent to double-a Arkansas.
Right-handers Matt Shoemaker, 25, Daniel Tillman, 23, and David Carpenter, 24, and lefty Matt Meyer, 27, were sent to minor league camp. Fabio Martinez, 22, a right-hander and 40-man roster member, was moved to the Class-a Inland Empire team.
Catcher Robinson Diaz, 28, and outfielder Doug Deeds, 30, were also sent to minor league camp, and infielder Luis Jimenez was put on the triple-a Salt Lake roster.
“[Minor league] games started [Thursday]; those guys need to start playing games,” Scioscia said. Wilson likes change
Free-agent acquisition C.J. Wilson gave up his first run in his third spring start Thursday but was pleased overall with an outing in which no ball left the infield until the fourth inning.
The Angels defeated the Cincinnati Reds, 3-1, at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
“My change-up’s getting better and better,” Wilson said. “My slider’s sharp. I kept the ball down, other than [a run-scoring double by Denis Phipps], everything was low.”
Wilson threw 56 pitches in four innings, striking out two with no walks, fumbling only when he “lost a bunt in the sun” by Zack Cozart in the first inning. “Real embarrassing.”
Despite his strong start, Wilson said doesn’t “see what I’ve done to earn” the opening-night start he believes will go to Jered Weaver on April 6 against Kansas City.
“We’re all showing we’ve got great stuff,” Wilson said. Scorching Kendrick
He has the stability of an extended contract, the favorable spot of batting in front of Albert Pujols and the wisdom of six major league seasons.
Howie Kendrick, at 28, could be advancing upon a career year.
The Angels second baseman is batting .611 (11 for 18) after seven spring games and a three-for-three performance Wednesday, including a home run.
“More game experience is the top thing,” said Kendrick, who has seven runs batted in and seven runs scored. “I can’t tell you I’m doing anything different other than maturing in the game.”
Kendrick said he’s hopeful he’ll continue seeing the fastballs he’s getting in spring once the season begins while batting in front of Pujols, who slammed his first two homers as an Angel on Wednesday.
“My biggest thing [batting second] is getting on base for him, setting the table — moving guys over or getting on base,” Kendrick said.