Impact Analysis: Howie Kendrick, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

April 23, 2008 @ 15:12:10

By Eric Lemon
Edited by Richard Garcia

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim finally appeased the injury gods by placing second baseman Howie Kendrick (hamstring) on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 14.

Kendrick strained his left hamstring in the April 13 game against the Seattle Mariners. His injury occurred when he was going for extra bases after he hit a line-drive shot to deep right-center in the seventh inning. Kendrick pushed hard to get a double and thought about a triple before pulling up. This aggressive base running ended his night, when infielder Maicer Izturis immediately came into to pinch run and finish the game.

His hot start has him hitting .500, which was a good enough reason for the coaching staff to label him day-to-day and keep him off the disabled list. This was not to be the case after many failed running attempts at practice showed that the injury was more serious than once thought. The Angels finally made the decision April 18 to place him on the disabled list after a 5-4 loss to the Mariners.

What have you done for me lately?

Kendrick went 3-for-4, with two doubles, one RBI and was caught stealing twice in the April 13 game. This performance is reflective of the 10 games he has played in this season; he is 18-for-36 with five doubles, four RBIs and six runs scored.

In 2007, Kendrick suffered from a pair of fluke finger injuries that forced him to miss 2 1/2 months. In the 88 games he did play, Kendrick hit .322 in 338 at-bats. Once he returned from a second finger injury, he contributed with a .357 average in 37 games, picking up 51 hits, scoring 23 runs and knocking in 21 runs to help the Angels win the American League West.

Kendrick's hamstring injury came two games after his return from a thumb injury that occurred in the first week of April. He missed a handful of games due to the injury before returning to the lineup and going 6-for-8 in his final two starts. It is possible that the time off could have contributed to his strained hamstring, but it is more likely the result of a fluke incident than anything else.

In the meantime

Izturis has started the majority of games at second base during Kendrick's eight-game absence. Izturis also covered second base duties when Kendrick was day-to-day with a jammed thumb. Even though Izturis is an excellent fielder - 25 putouts, 39 assists and eight double plays - his poor plate production (.182 in 55 at-bats) prompted the Angels to get help from Triple-A Salt Lake. The team called up infielder Sean Rodriguez to fill the roster spot of Kendrick.

Rodriguez made his major [NM1] league debut on April 19 after being called up the night before. He went 1-for-4 in that game, getting his first major league hit in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The 2006 Salt Lake Minor League Player of the Year had 13 games under his belt this season prior to reporting to the Angels. There, he hit .333 with four home runs and 11 RBIs. His minor league marks are high, but he is at the bottom of the depth chart behind Izturis and infielder Erick Aybar, who has been playing shortstop exclusively.

Call in the reserves

With injuries taking their toll in the clubhouse - outfielders Vladimir Guerrero (finger) and Torii Hunter (toe) are also banged up - manager Mike Scioscia optioned pitcher Jason Bulger to Triple-A Salt Lake and brought in first baseman Kendry Morales. In 16 minor league games this season, Morales has 16 RBIs and is hitting .278.

The addition of Morales was done to beef up the bench, especially with Hunter nursing his injured toe. Scioscia also stated that if the team has a couple of bad games, they can always make another move to get them to 12 pitchers.

Rodriguez and Morales will most likely see playing time when the starters need a rest. If you have Kendrick on your roster, get him on your disabled list and look elsewhere for fantasy replacements.

Fantasy pickup options

The Colorado Rockies recently have gone with infielder Clint Barmes over rookie Jayson Nix at second base. Manager Clint Hurdle put it out there that it is Barmes' position to lose. Barmes should have no problems remaining the starter if he can keep up the heat; he has one home run and a 17-for-45 (.378) streak at the plate in 13 games.

Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui returned to the lineup April 18 after missing the beginning of the season with an anal fissure. He has been solid in his return, hitting .333 with four RBIs and two stolen bases in five games played. Matsui had been batting in the No. 2 spot in the order, and he has batted leadoff for injured outfielder Michael Bourn (groin) in the last two games.

Fantasy outlook

Since Kendrick did not play in any games after his hamstring injury, the Angels were allowed to make his placement on the disabled list retroactive to the following day. There is also a good indication that the Angels feel he will be ready to go once April 29 comes along.

While Kendrick was in the minors, his batting average stayed above .300 for five years straight. Even through injuries in 2007, he kept his average above .300. Fantasy owners shouldn't expect his stolen base total to rise right away, considering his hamstring injury. He has a career total of 13 in 170 games played, but Scioscia stated before the season that he expected Kendrick to run more. Kendrick has already attempted four steals, two of which were successful, in 10 games; in his previous 160 games, he had attempted only 15 steals. Regardless, expect consistent numbers from his bat.

Scioscia would like Kendrick's consistent bat in his lineup. The Angels' latest roster moves indicate that help is needed. Kendrick has frustrated fantasy owners because he has proven to be a slow healer. However, when he is back in action, he bounces back pretty well. Let's see how he does with a leg issue.

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