The tragic death of 22-year-old starter Nick Adenhart is definitely going to be the low point of the Los Angeles Angels' season -- at least let's hope they don't have to deal with another death -- but much less significant problems are continuing to plague the defending AL West Champions. Specifically, they can't escape the injury bug. While John Lackey, Ervin Santana, and Kelvim Escobar try to fight their way back to the mound, Vladimir Guerrero has joined them on the disabled list and Dustin Moseley left Friday night's start after just three innings with an apparent elbow injury -- an elbow which was surgically repaired in 2007.
(Manager Mike) Scioscia said the right-hander "felt a little burn in the nerve above his elbow," but not in the same area as the surgery. Moseley described the feeling as tightness.If Moseley does end up missing time, the Angels rotation contains -- at least for a few weeks -- only two pitchers (Joe Saunders and Jered Weaver) from their best seven starters entering spring training. This was an organization who had arguably the best starting pitching depth in the baseball, and it's being fiercely tested.
"It's hard to tell right now," said Moseley, who gave up two runs and five hits. "I'll be able to determine [the extent of the injury] a little better [today]. I think I'll be fine."
In addition to the Guerrero injury and the rotation woes, the bullpen is in shambles as well. Scot Shields is not right, Brian Fuentes has been disappointing, Jose Arredondo hasn't shown his 2008 form, and the entire 'pen ERA is an abysmal 8.19.
For his part, the always classy Mike Scioscia continues to stay calm and focused on the long season.
"You're going to be hit with challenges every day in this game," Scioscia said. "You have to deal with them, and we will."Still, you wonder how much one team can take. For the Angels, 2009 has been a nightmare season, and they haven't even played two full weeks yet.
