The Angels announced after Saturday night's 4-3 loss to the Cleveland Indians that first basemanKendrys Morales, whose rehabilitation from a broken left ankle has stalled over the last few weeks, will travel to Vail, Colo., this week for a second opinion.
Morales has not played since last May 29, and he has not been able to run at full speed yet. The slugger was shut down last week after receiving an injection and has not resumed running, on the field or on a treadmill. He is scheduled to visit Dr.Thomas Clanton, a foot-and-ankle specialist, on Tuesday.
“This is something the Angels recommended to get an optimal course of treatment,” saidTim Mead, the team’s vice president of communications.
The Angels remained confident all winter and even during spring training that Morales, who hit .306 with 34 home runs and 108 runs batted in in 2009, would be ready to start the season. But they appear to be coming to grips with the possibility that Morales won't be back for several more weeks.
Asked on Friday if he was surprised by how slowly Morales is recovering, ManagerMike Scioscia’s response was an indication that the Angels don’t expect Morales back until June, at the earliest, and perhaps an admission that those earlier forecasts were far too ambitious.
“It hasn’t even been a year yet,” Scioscia said. “It was a serious injury. You have to be patient through some parts of it.”
--Mike DiGiovanna
