Los Angeles Angels about to see the new improved Machine

The Los Angeles Angels got their first look at Andrelton Simmons Friday as he played DH on Friday going 0 for 3.  However, Saturday is slated to be the first time we will see Simmons,who is said to be the second coming of Ozzie Smith, play shortstop against Seattle.

Hopefully Simmons for the Angels, he will be everything he is advertised to be.  Cliff Pennington, Rey Navarro, and Roberto Baldoquin have held down the short so far this Spring.  Baldoquin got his second hit in three at-bats this Spring on Friday and has looked very comfortable so far.  It is too small of sample so far to get too excited about Baldoquin, but it is still good to see the young Cuban prospect having some success after a tough first year in the minors.

Pennington has also looked good so far for the Los Angeles Angels despite going 1 for 5 at the plate when he got on base he stole second which is something the Angels were missing last season which was speed.  We will probably see Pennington at some other spots besides shortstop this Spring.

Another debut we will see this weekend according to Alden Gonzalez of MLB.Com is that of “The Machine” Albert Pujols who will play Sunday as the DH.  Pujols is hoping to be ready in time for Opening Day and will take his first step on Sunday to attaining that goal.  Pujols had offseason surgery to repair the planter plate in his right foot that relegated him to DH duty for the last six weeks of the season.

One other note to mention is pitching related as C.J. Wilson threw off flat ground Friday after being shut down the last week due to tendinitis in his shoulder.  Wilson, who missed the last two months of the season in 2015 due to an elbow injury, was hoping to be ready by opening day after having elbow surgery in late August, but the chances are looking less and less each day as his rehab is about a week behind schedule according to Jeff Fletcher of the OC Register.

So Nick Tropeano or Matt Shoemaker will likely make a couple of starts to begin the season until Wilson is ready.  In better pitching news Jered Weaver pitched two strong innings Friday giving up no runs while striking out three batters. Weaver, who is in the final year of his contract is trying to bounce back from his worst season of his career.

Let’s see what the weekend brings for the Los Angeles Angels, hopefully a successful debut for both Pujols and Simmons.