April 3, 2015 Page 1 of 25

Clips

(April 3, 2015)

April 3, 2015 Page 2 of 25

Today’s Clips Contents

FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES (Page 3)  Can be disciplined? MLB waiting to hear from arbitrator  Freeway Series: Angels 3, Dodgers 2

FROM THE OC REGISTER (Page 5)  MLB commissioner Rob Manfred: Decision on Angels' Josh Hamilton coming 'shortly after' opening day  Smith: Out of the blue comes a familiar face at Angel Stadium  Angels top Dodgers in Freeway Series opener, 3-2  Moura: It won't be easy, but Angels' Shoemaker takes aim at a repeat performance

FROM ANGELS.COM (Page 11)  Scioscia wants Richards to get at least two more rehab starts  Trout picks up where he left off in first game at Angel Stadium  Hamilton's suspension may come next week  Weaver is an unheralded master craftsman

FROM THE LA DAILY NEWS (Page 17)  Manfred: Decision on Josh Hamilton’s could come ‘shortly after’ opening day

FROM FOX SPORTS WEST (Page 17)  Weaver to make 7th career Opening Day start for Angels  Angels' Trout on follow-up MVP campaign: 'I'm a young kid just playing ball'  Gronkowski and Trout team up for ceremonial first pitch and fun in Angels dugout  Decision on Angels' Hamilton expected to come 'shortly after' Opening Day

FROM YAHOO SPORTS (Page 22)  ' touching gesture for brother of Dodgers Joc Pederson

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (Page 24)  RECAP: Trout helps Angels beat Dodgers 3-2 April 3, 2015 Page 3 of 25

FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

Can Josh Hamilton be disciplined? MLB waiting to hear from arbitrator

By Bill Shaikin

The arbitrator empowered to decide whether Josh Hamilton violated 's drug policy has yet to issue his ruling, forcing Commissioner Rob Manfred to wait and see if he has the authority to discipline Hamilton.

Hamilton reported a relapse in his battle with substance abuse. If the arbitrator determines Hamilton has not violated his treatment program, Manfred would have no authority to suspend the Angels outfielder, and the matter would be considered closed under baseball's drug policy.

The decision from the arbitrator is expected shortly, perhaps as soon as Friday. The pending nature of the decision was confirmed Thursday by two people familiar with the matter but not authorized to discuss it publicly.

In an interview with Sirius XM, Manfred said a decision on discipline probably would come “shortly after” opening day.

“I think that we'll have something on Hamilton in relatively short order — probably has been a little slower just because he's not available to play,” Manfred said.

If the arbitrator rules that Hamilton violated his treatment program, Manfred is believed to be prepared to levy a suspension soon thereafter.

Hamilton is recovering from shoulder surgery, and the Angels did not issue him a locker in spring training.

When the team returned to Angel Stadium on Thursday, Hamilton's locker had been given to infielder Johnny Giovatella — a move explained by a club official as a way to accommodate the extra players in town for the Freeway Series against the Dodgers. Hamilton met with baseball officials in New York on Feb. 25. As The Times reported March 4, a four- person treatment board — with two members appointed by the commissioner's office and two by the players' union — had deadlocked on how to handle Hamilton's case, necessitating the appointment of the arbitrator.

Under baseball's drug policy, a player can be found to have violated a treatment program if he does not cooperate with the requirements of the program or tests positive for a drug of abuse. The policy is silent on whether a player can be judged to have violated a treatment program if he reports a relapse, as Hamilton did.

The policy also empowers the treatment board to consider the player's test history, his evaluation by medical professionals, and his willingness to consider “additional treatment options such as inpatient therapy.”

April 3, 2015 Page 4 of 25

Hamilton is known to have failed at least six drug tests as a minor leaguer in the organization, and he was suspended from baseball from 2004 to '06. He is not known to have failed any tests since then.

Hamilton is expected to be on the disabled list until at least May. Time on the disabled list counts as time served on a suspension, according to baseball's drug policy.

Hamilton is scheduled to make $25 million this season, the third of a five-year, $125-million contract.

If he is sent into a rehabilitation program, he would be owed his full salary for 30 days, then half his salary for the next 30 days — a total of $6.2 million. If he is suspended and not in treatment, he would not be paid. However, it is unclear whether the Angels would have to pay Hamilton at all if he previously entered a rehabilitation program that lasted at least 60 days.

Hamilton, 33, has batted .255 with 31 home runs in his first two years in Anaheim. His primary replacement in left field is expected to be newly acquired Matt Joyce, with C.J. Cron and Collin Cowgill also getting at-bats that otherwise would have gone to Hamilton.

“It's going to open up some opportunities,” Mike Scioscia said. “We're deep enough on the offensive end we should be OK.”

Scioscia declined to speculate on Hamilton's future before a resolution of the issue with MLB.

“We're going to take it one step at a time,” Scioscia said. “Josh isn't ready to play baseball right now. We're kind of business as usual. You can't answer questions until you're sure exactly what is going to happen.”

Spring training Freeway Series: Angels 3, Dodgers 2

By Bill Shaikin

Angels 3, Dodgers 2

AT THE PLATE: In his first at-bat at Angel Stadium this season, launched a home , deep to right-center field. Trout also tripled, walked, stole a base and scored twice. The Angels' star is batting .463 this spring. Designated hitter C.J. Cron (.426) also had two hits. For the Dodgers, veteran infielder Darwin Barney, trying to win a bench spot, doubled in his only at-bat to lift his average to .356. Barney has six doubles, second on the team to .

ON THE MOUND: The Angels' Matt Shoemaker gave up one run in 61/3 innings, wrapping up the spring with a 4.26 earned-run average. The Dodgers, on the turn that would have belonged to the injured Hyun-Jin Ryu, used eight relievers for an inning apiece. Adam Liberatore, a left-hander acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays, struck out both of the left-handers he faced and maintained his 0.00 earned-run average this spring. Left-hander Paco Rodriguez also maintained a 0.00 ERA, with no walks and 12 strikeouts in 101/3 innings.

EXTRA BASES: , C.J. Wilson and Shoemaker, in order, will face the Mariners in the Angels' season-opening series starting Monday in Seattle. Hector Santiago will start the home opener next Friday against the . … It is uncertain whether the Angels and closer Huston Street can April 3, 2015 Page 5 of 25 wrap up a contract extension before the season opener, but a club official said the Street talks are completely independent of the Josh Hamilton situation. Hamilton could face a suspension that would save the Angels millions in already-budgeted salary. … At the concession stand at the Angels' Inland Empire affiliate this season: deep-fried, bacon-wrapped frog legs, sold as "Kermit and Miss Piggy."

UP NEXT: The Angels and Dodgers play Friday at 7 p.m. at Angel Stadium. TV: Channel 13, SportsNet LA. Radio: 570, 830.

FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred: Decision on Angels' Josh Hamilton coming 'shortly after' opening day

BY JEFF FLETCHER / STAFF WRITER

Commissioner Rob Manfred said this week that a decision on Josh Hamilton's suspension would be coming "shortly after" opening day, meaning the case will remain in limbo at least until next week.

Manfred had indicated in recent weeks that he expected to make a decision before opening day, but when he spoke to Chris Russo on Sirius/XM radio on Wednesday, he said the case has been "a little slow, because he's not available to play."

Hamilton is out while rehabbing from right shoulder surgery, with no timetable for his return.

Manfred reiterated that Hamilton's suspension could run concurrently with his time on the disabled list. Hamilton would still lose a pro-rated portion of his $23 million salary during the time he's suspended, though.

Hamilton self-reported a violation of 's drug policy in February. He met with Manfred, and the case has been going through a process involving medical experts, an arbitrator and eventually Manfred.

Manfred has the ultimate say on how long Hamilton will be suspended, with little precedent for the new commissioner. Most of baseball's suspensions under the drug policy have been for using performance enhancing drugs, not drugs of abuse. Also, Hamilton's previous violations and suspensions were under a previous drug policy, and while he was in the minor leagues.

One of the difficulties for the Angels while they await the news is they are trying to negotiate an extension with Huston Street. The amount of money the club saves by not paying Hamilton during his suspension may factor into the negotiations for Street, who is seeking a new deal that would replace the $7 million he's owed in 2015 under his current contract.

April 3, 2015 Page 6 of 25 Smith: Out of the blue comes a familiar face at Angel Stadium

BY MARIA C. SMITH

ANAHEIM – In all of his nine years as the Angels steady-playing known as “HK 47,” had never set foot in the visitor’s clubhouse at Angel Stadium.

Before Thursday night’s Freeway Series exhibition, there was no reason to be in the relatively cramped opponent’s quarters that are like a Residence Inn compared to the well-appointed Ritz Carlton of the Angels clubhouse.

But the Big A is no longer Kendrick’s home. His 32-by-18-foot image that used to grace the ballpark’s Homeplate Gate has been replaced by the smiling face of his former -play partner, shortstop .

Traded this offseason for left-handed pitcher , Kendrick returned Thursday for the first time as a visiting Dodger. He was among the first Dodgers to arrive but had to keep reminding himself, “I’m on the other side now,” he said.

In the visitor’s clubhouse, his locker was the first one on the right, his stall labeled with a piece of masking tape and his name scrawled in Sharpie.

Unlike the tall-backed leather chair he used to have here as an Angel, Kendrick sat in a folding chair, got dressed and headed for the batting cage.

He still wears No. 47, the number the Angels already re-assigned this spring to right-hander Ryan Mattheus. He still plays a solid second base, a position for which the Angels are still holding auditions.

But everything else – his team in this rivalry, the clubhouse and the dugout – “is on the other side,” Kendrick kept saying before the game.

“This is actually the first time I’ve been in this locker room,” said Kendrick before the game. “I keep looking it like, ‘Hey, I’m here to play baseball.’”

It’s at moments like this one that Kendrick is reminded of just how much his baseball life has changed.

“Obviously I spent a lot of years here and enjoyed my time here. ... I grew up here and have lot of great memories here,” he said, smiling.

“I love the Angels. They made me who I am. ... Hopefully I can bring what I’ve done with the Angels over here, too.”

The Angels drafted Kendrick in the 10th round in 2002 out of St. Johns River Community College in Palatka, Fla. He made his debut with the Angels in 2006 when he was 22 and became a model of consistency with both the bat and the glove.

He batted .292 over his Angels career, ranging from .279 in 2010 to .322 in 2007. He was an All-Star in 2011 and played the third-most games at second base in franchise history (967).

“My single favorite memory as an Angel was sweeping Boston in 2009,” he said, grinning at the memory. April 3, 2015 Page 7 of 25

Feeling fortunate to have landed at another contender and just north on the freeway from what had always been his baseball hometown, Kendrick hopes for another postseason, but with his new team.

He stepped from the visiting dugout for pregame warmups and immediately walked left toward the Angels, who were finishing batting practice.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia saw him right away, made some joke and opened his arms to embrace Kendrick.

Soon, the other coaches came and mobbed him with handshakes and hugs. Angels utility infielder Grant Green grabbed Kendrick from behind and squeezed hard. They broke apart in laughter before Green placed his Angels cap on top of Kendrick’s Dodgers one.

Kendrick has stayed in touch with his former teammates, who sat in the dugout across the field from him, and the former fans, who still send him messages like “Come back” and “Stay away from the dark side.”

He was liked here but not really beloved. He was Howie, always there and seemingly on the verge of breaking out in the big way. He wasn’t an attention-seeker, a big talker or a highlight-reel maker.

He was simply reliable, steady and stalwart and someone the Angels never really had to worry about. Those are the same qualities that make a player invisible – until he’s gone and comes back out of the blue.

And Thursday night, when the public address announcer re-introduced the man “playing second base, wearing No. 47, Howie Kendrick,” the Angels fans stood and gave him an ovation to welcome him back home.

The cheers and applause were the loudest for any Dodger. They were more intentional and heartfelt perhaps than any he received when he played for the Angels.

“It will be warm,” Kendrick said of his expectations of his reception. “The fans have been great all my years, and hopefully they think of me the same way.”

The Angels fans did, at first.

But when the game began and Kendrick had his first at-bat, he approached the plate for the first time from the visitor’s dugout near first base. He heard a mix of cheers and jeers. The crowd was already turning against him.

Kendrick had to know he was the visitor when he lined out and the stadium roared in celebration.

It was Johnny Giavotella, the Angels new second baseman and Kendrick’s replacement, who had leaped high to make the grab, robbing him of a .

Kendrick, experiencing another first, retreated to the dugout – the visitor’s one.

April 3, 2015 Page 8 of 25 Angels top Dodgers in Freeway Series opener, 3-2

BY JANIS CARR

ANAHEIM – The Freeway Series games between the Angels and Dodgers don’t count, but they do matter to several players who are trying to nail down starting jobs or simply earn a spot in the majors.

While the Dodgers try to figure out their bullpen, the Angels seemed to have settled on a second baseman, 27-year-old journeyman Johnny Giavotella.

The Angels will have a new starting second baseman for the first time since 2008, when Howie Kendrick took over the spot. With Kendrick now wearing Dodgers blue, the Angels are looking a handful of players to fill the position.

Josh Rutledge was the favorite coming into spring training but was sidelined for a handful of games after experiencing tightness in his hamstring. That gave Giavotella an opening.

After hitting .348 heading into Wednesday’s spring training finale and showing standout defense, Giavotella got the start in the Angels’ 3-2 victory against the Dodgers in the Freeway Series opener at Angel Stadium. He didn’t disappoint.

Giavotella didn’t do much at the plate – going hitless in three at-bats – but he showed off his defensive skills in the second inning when he leaped high into the air to rob Kendrick, of all players, of a hit in the second inning.

“I don’t know about irony but Johnny G made a great play on that,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

Giavotella said he simply needs to play and “not let these outside distractions get to me. I just come out and play hard and compete and try to get better every day. That’s what I can control.”

Scioscia said there are other question marks he hopes to have settled before Monday’s regular-season opener, but was pleased overall with his team’s performance against the Dodgers.

“We saw some things that were really important (namely) on defense,” Scioscia said. “Johnny G at second base showed range and looked strong on the defensive side. I think our situational hitting was there and I think we pitched well.”

Scioscia said some guys are ready to play now but there are other guys who are “scratching and clawing for at-bats or spots on the roster.”

Mike Trout is not one of the players Scioscia needs to worry about. In fact, the only question facing the Angels star is can he repeat his 2014 MVP performance? He hit a towering in his first at-bat back at Anaheim to give the Angels a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

Trout (2 for 3, 2 runs scored, 1 RBI) walked in his second at-bat. Then, with the Angels holding a 2-1 lead, he lofted a high fly ball to right for a to lead off the fifth.

Yasiel Puig and Kendrick both went for the ball and collided, Kendrick’s left forearm catching Puig in the throat. After lying on field for three uncertain minutes, Puig stood up and came out of the game. He said he was fine and is expected to play Friday in the second game of the Freeway Series April 3, 2015 Page 9 of 25

Trout gave the Angels a 3-1 lead when he scored on Albert Pujols’ sacrifice fly to center.

As long as Puig is healthy, the bullpen is the biggest question the Dodgers are facing as the regular season nears. They auditioned nine pitchers in the loss, each getting one inning to show his stuff.

“It was the kind of day when we knew we didn’t have a true starter and we were just trying to get everybody work in a big environment,” Dodgers manager said.

Angels right-hander Matt Shoemaker appeared to be in midseason form, giving up one run on five hits over 61/3 innings in picking up the victory. He struck out three.

Moura: It won't be easy, but Angels' Shoemaker takes aim at a repeat performance

By PEDRO MOURA

ANAHEIM – It was a reputation partly earned, and partly created out of a need to explain something that would otherwise remain inexplicable.

Angels right-hander Matt Shoemaker became known as an elite strike-thrower in his breakout rookie year in 2014. He didn’t throw very hard, he hardly walked anybody; it all made sense. He entered his age-27 season having thrown five major-league innings.

How else to rationalize how a career minor-leaguer could show up and throw 126 innings at an elite, 3.04-ERA clip?

But Shoemaker doesn’t actually throw that many strikes. By percentage of pitches that traveled through the strike zone, Shoemaker ranked in the bottom half of all pitchers who threw 100 or more innings in 2014. According to PITCH/Fx data tracked by Fangraphs.com, just 44.5 percent of his offerings would have been strikes had the batter not swung, a number comparable to the Cubs’ Edwin Jackson, considered one of the wildest pitchers in the sport.

What Shoemaker does – or what he did, at least – is throw strikes at the right time, particularly on the first pitch a batter sees. To maintain the same success rate he had one year ago, Shoemaker may have to fulfill his reputation more fully in 2015.

He’s not going to walk so few batters again if he keeps his strike rate the same. He’s almost certainly not going to be able to hold as many runners on the basepaths without scoring; more balls in play will likely fall for hits. His ERA is bound to raise some, barring an altered approach.

At least, that’s the outside perspective. Angels catcher Chris Iannetta said he doesn’t expect that out of Shoemaker in 2015.

“(You expect) some sort of regression to the mean, whatever the mean may be,” Iannetta said. “But, no, if he repeats his delivery, throws strikes and locates the way he did last year, he should have similar success. If he’s able to repeat, there’s no reason not to expect him to do the same stuff.”

“As long as he’s able to do that, he’s going to be successful 10 years from now.” April 3, 2015 Page 10 of 25

Shoemaker always says his game plan is to attack the strike zone. When told that doesn’t necessarily show up in the statistics – that it seems more like he wants to attack it early and expand it late – he nodded.

“You could say that,” Shoemaker said. “I feel like if you’re getting hitters to swing at pitches you want them to swing at, it may or may not be in the zone, and it’ll be weak contact. That’s what I want.”

Facing the Dodgers at Angel Stadium on Thursday, in his final spring start, Shoemaker threw his first 10 pitches for strikes, and 51 of 82 in all. He walked two men in 6 1/3 innings and gave up a solitary run. It was altogether a good, if a tad from great, performance.

“Matt has so many things he can do,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said afterward. “He’s got the ability to throw the split under a swing if he needs to, or throw it for a strike. And his fastball command in and out is really part of his strength. It’s tough to sit on one pitch in one zone with Matt, and when he’s on he’s usually in the zone and ahead of counts.”

This week, one rival evaluator called Shoemaker’s splitter one of the best split-finger fastballs in the majors, not quite to the level of the Yankees’ Masahiro Tanaka’s, but not far off.

It’s the pitch he feels most confident in at any time.

“Most times you see a split, it’s like 0-2, 1-2,” Iannetta said. “Not with him. He doesn’t have any fear of throwing it behind in counts.”

He’ll throw any of his other pitches in unexpected counts, too. They just aren’t as valuable.

“He’s not like Garrett (Richards), whose stuff is off the charts,” Iannetta said. “Obviously his split’s very good. But his fastball, his curveball, his slider, they’re good pitches, but they’re not best-in-the-game type. What he does do very well is he knows how to hit spots and repeat pitches.

“Those elements translate into this season.”

At least, he feels they should. But he understands the chance they won’t so well.

“Predicting’s hard,” Iannetta said. “If I knew, I’d be really, really rich right now. I’d play a lot of the lottery.”

Shoemaker was a lottery ticket that paid out a year ago. To truly pay out again, he may have to change a thing or two, or settle into a slightly lesser role.

April 3, 2015 Page 11 of 25

FROM ANGELS.COM

Scioscia wants Richards to get at least two more rehab starts

By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- Angels manager Mike Scioscia made his season-opening rotation official Thursday, announcing that Jered Weaver, C.J. Wilson and Matt Shoemaker will start the three-game series in Seattle, respectively, and Hector Santiago will pitch the home opener against the Royals on April 10.

Meanwhile, Garrett Richards continued to dominate Minor League hitters.

The 26-year-old right-hander threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings in a Triple-A game in on Thursday afternoon, giving up six hits and one walk, while striking out five in a 90-pitch outing. Richards, in the late stages of his recovery from left-knee surgery, has thrown 14 1/3 scoreless innings in his three rehab starts, giving up seven hits and three walks while striking out 13.

Clearly, his stuff is there -- but more work remains.

Richards will take two extra days off to pitch again on April 9, which would line him up to start on April 14, the first day the Angels need a fifth starter. But Scioscia said after Thursday's game that Richards still needs at least two more starts, which means he won't return until April 19, at the earliest.

"In Garrett's best interest, he needs to finish this out in the right sequence and not try to rush any steps or miss any steps," Scioscia said. "There's no doubt that I think his arm is showing that it's where it needs to be. There's a lot more in play in this game than just throwing the ball over the plate and getting your pitches to work. He needs to see how he rebounds; he needs to get into a real game where you don't have the safety net of rolling an inning over and see how he responds when he has to throw 30 pitches in an inning.

"I think there's a lot of things that are still a little bit open-ended with Garrett. But he's close, we're excited about it. He had a great workout today down there."

Worth noting

• Twenty-year-old Cuban infielder Roberto Baldoquin will join the Angels for the rest of the Freeway Series. Scioscia said "it's good for him to get a sense of this environment. He's a unique player with a really unique tool set, and he really showed well in the little bit we saw in spring."

• Wilson pitched well against Cubs Minor Leaguers on Wednesday, giving up two runs on five hits and one walk in 6 2/3 innings. Wilson, who struck out 10 in his last start before the regular season, said he recorded strikeouts with all of his pitches and faced a lineup that included .

• Outfielder Daniel Robertson, vying for the Angels' last bench spot, bulked up over the offseason but was told that his times to first base were slower, from 4.01 seconds to 4.23. So over the last couple weeks, he's shed about 10 pounds, dropping back to 186. He hopes to lose a few more to get back to around 180 pounds. April 3, 2015 Page 12 of 25

• The Angels announced a multi-year partnership to make BODYARMOR the team's official sports drink. In a release, the Angels said the deal was "due in large part" to Mike Trout, an investor in the company who "has been drinking BODYARMOR since 2012 and made the sports drink an important part of his training and on-field regimen."

• The team unveiled a new program for 2015 called "All Access Angels," to give fans more exclusive experiences at Angel Stadium. The programs include "Steal 3rd," "Honorary Bat Kid" and "Dine With Dipoto." More can be found at angels.com/access.

• League rules prohibit the Angels from working out Sunday, the day before Opening Day. Instead, the coaches will hold advanced-scouting meetings at Angel Stadium and the entire team will fly to Seattle in the afternoon. Tyler Skaggs, who will spend the entire season rehabbing from surgery, will be on the flight.

Trout picks up where he left off in first game at Angel Stadium

By Alden Gonzalez

ANAHEIM -- Mike Trout homered in his first at-bat at Angel Stadium this year and Yasiel Puig exited after a scary collision with Howie Kendrick on Thursday night, as the Angels beat the Dodgers, 3-2, in the opener of the three-game, exhibition Freeway Series.

To lead off the bottom of the fifth, Trout skied a high popup that sent Kendrick and Puig toward shallow right field. Both drifted initially, waiting to be called off, and Puig sprinted in just before the ball fell in, catching Kendrick's left elbow to his chin and throat, after which he lay on the ground for a couple of minutes.

Trout ended up with a triple and Puig walked off the field after being checked on by Dodgers athletic trainer Stan Conte.

Puig said he was fine after the game and is expected to be available Friday.

Earlier, Trout caught the ceremonial first pitch from prolific New England Patriots tight end , then hit a first-inning solo homer just over the scoreboard in right-center field, his fifth this spring. The Angels added a run on a fourth-inning RBI single by C.J. Cron -- batting .426 -- and a fifth- inning sacrifice fly by Albert Pujols.

Gronkowski told Trout he was going to spike the first pitch, then fired a bullet to Trout.

"I'm glad I caught it," Trout said. "It almost hit me in the face."

Kendrick -- playing in his first game at Angel Stadium since the December trade -- received drawn-out applause his first time up and finished 1-for-3, while getting robbed with a leaping catch by new Angels second baseman Johnny Giavotella. April 3, 2015 Page 13 of 25

Matt Shoemaker, who will make his first regular-season start Wednesday in Seattle, gave up one run on five hits and two walks in 6 1/3 innings, finishing the spring with a 4.26 ERA.

Shoemaker wanted to hone "the crispness of my pitches" in his last spring start.

"I felt like that was a little bit better this time," Shoemaker said. "I always want to keep getting better every time I pitch. That was definitely key, and I felt like we accomplished that."

The Dodgers had a bullpen game, with eight relievers each accounting for an inning. Sergio Santos served up the homer to Trout, with Pedro Baez and Adam Liberatore following with scoreless innings. Josh Ravin was charged with two runs in one-plus innings.

Up next: Andrew Heaney makes his last Spring Training start, and perhaps his last one with the Angels for a while, in the second of a three-game, exhibition Freeway Series against the Dodgers on Friday. Heaney entered camp in competition for a rotation spot, but posted a 9.00 ERA in 19 Cactus League innings and is expected to start the season in Triple-A. Game time from Angel Stadium is 7:05 p.m. PT and it will air for free on MLB.TV and Fox Sports West.

Hamilton's suspension may come next week

By Alden Gonzalez

ANAHEIM -- Josh Hamilton didn't have a locker at the Angels' Spring Training facility, and he currently doesn't have one at Angel Stadium, either.

His old locker, tucked away in a back corner of the home clubhouse, now belongs to the new second baseman, Johnny Giavotella. The Angels said they didn't assign Hamilton a locker because there are only 38 of them, and that's the exact amount of players who needed one for the opener of a three-game, exhibition Freeway Series against the Dodgers on Thursday night.

The Angels were hopeful of getting clarity on Hamilton's situation by the end of this week, but it looks as if they'll have to wait a little longer.

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred recently told SiriusXM Radio that a decision on a potential suspension for the Angels outfielder will "probably" be made "shortly after" Opening Day, which means next week at the earliest.

"I think that we'll have something on Hamilton in relatively short order -- it probably has been a little slower just because he's not available to play," Manfred told SiriusXM Radio on Wednesday.

Thirteen days earlier, Manfred told the Associated Press he expected a resolution "before Opening Day." But the timeline has been moved back because the arbitrator empowered to decide whether Hamilton violated the Joint Drug Agreement has yet to issue his ruling, forcing Manfred to wait to see if he has the authority to discipline Hamilton, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The fact Hamilton self-reported his drug-related relapse, which sources say occurred late in the offseason, could prompt the arbitrator to determine that Hamilton did not violate his treatment program, giving Manfred no authority to suspend him, the Times added. April 3, 2015 Page 14 of 25

This much is clear: The issue is out of the Angels' hands, and none of the players have any idea what will happen.

"We're always obviously thinking about him," Angels center fielder Mike Trout said. "He's our teammate. But until we know more information, we really can't do much. You can't really think about him too much because you don't know what's going on. He's our teammate. We're always trying to figure out what's going on with him. Everybody wants to know, and nobody has answers. It's kind of been like that the last couple of weeks."

Hamilton met with MLB officials in New York on Feb. 25 over what sources say was a drug-related relapse that occurred late in the offseason. Hamilton then remained in , staying with a friend while recovering from right-shoulder surgery. Angels officials have checked in with Hamilton sporadically to check on his injury rehab, most recently saying that he's been taking swings off a tee.

Angels starter C.J. Wilson, a friend of Hamilton's dating back to their days on the Rangers, has been in touch with the 33-year-old and said, "I feel like he's doing everything he can to get ready to play baseball again."

"I was very surprised that there was news about this at all, just because I didn't really see it on the horizon," Wilson said of Hamilton's relapse. "He doesn't seem to be a mopey, murky person. Every time I talk to him, he seems fine."

Players who violate the JDA for a drug of abuse are initially placed in a treatment program, with the first violation of the program resulting in a suspension of 15-25 games, a second being 25-50, a third being 50-75 and a fourth being at least a full season. Players aren't paid while suspended, but they are eligible for full salary retention in the first 30 days of a treatment program.

The length of his suspension will have a big impact on the Angels' financial situation, considering he's owed $23 million. A potential extension with closer Huston Street, entering his final season before free agency, won't be finalized until there is more clarity on Hamilton. Once there is, the Angels will have to figure out how to fold him back into a team that may be well into its season by then.

First, they'll play without him.

"I think we're deep enough on the offensive side that we should be OK," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "But you can't plan on using what you don't have."

Hamilton was once a can't-miss, blue-chip prospect who spent four years away from baseball, fighting addiction. He made substantial strides, becoming a perennial All-Star in his five years with the Rangers and an inspiring story that captivated the nation and brought hope to addicts.

But he hasn't met expectations since coming to the Angels on a five-year, $125 million contract in December 2012.

Hamilton batted .250 with 21 homers and 79 RBIs in 2013 and finished an injury-plagued '14 season with a .263 batting average and 10 home runs in 89 games. He missed 10 weeks while recovering from left thumb surgery early in 2014, then spent almost all of September recovering from injuries along his right April 3, 2015 Page 15 of 25 side -- shoulder, trapezius, chest, rib cage -- and went 0-or-13 in the AL Division Series sweep at the hands of the Royals.

Hamilton felt pain in his shoulder once he started swinging with full force again, requiring surgery on Feb. 4 to repair his right AC joint. The injury timeline was six to eight weeks, with the possibility of a return by May.

The fact he wouldn't have been ready by now has made it easier to cope with the uncertainty.

"Josh isn't ready to play baseball right now," Scioscia said. "We're just kind of business as usual and we'll just take stuff one step at a time. You can't answer questions until you're really confirmed on exactly what they're going to be. We'll get the first step here shortly and just see what we're dealing with."

Weaver is an unheralded master craftsman

By Lyle Spencer

TEMPE, Ariz. -- For nine years, the Angels' Jered Weaver has been among the very best in the world at his craft -- even if the world barely, if ever, recognizes or acknowledges the full extent of his labors.

Discussions of Major League Baseball's elite starting pitchers by insiders rarely involve Weaver. He will tell you he honestly doesn't care, understanding that a fast-food, fast-paced, speed-obsessed culture doesn't have much time for old-time craftsmanship.

"I've always kind of liked being under the radar," Weaver said through a sly grin, noting that it doubtless has a lot to do with his nonexistent relationship with the radar gun.

"Everyone looks at velocity these days. I used to throw 90-95 [mph], even got to 97 in college. But there's been some wear on the shoulder over the years, and I've evolved into a different kind of pitcher -- studying hitters, moving it around, using my deception.

"If you look around, there aren't a lot of craftsmen. There are other ways of getting outs besides blowing guys away."

Four days away from another Opening Day assignment -- in Seattle against a Mariners outfit that is the popular choice to unseat the West champions -- Weaver rarely has looked or felt any better.

A program launched last June to enhance endurance and strengthen his lower half by adding 10-15 pounds to his 6-foot-7 frame has been a success. Weaver is not the skinny kid who opened his career in 2006 with seven consecutive wins and a 1.15 ERA, calling to mind 's wondrous 1981 start for the Dodgers.

The ongoing focus on keeping his right shoulder strong and pain-free is a year-round commitment. Weaver, looking for wood to knock, said it feels better than it has in three or four years. April 3, 2015 Page 16 of 25

At 32, approaching his 10th season, Weaver is on top of his game in anticipation of another run at the elusive brass ring: the dazzling bling that goes to champions.

"I really like our team and our chances," Weaver said with undisguised optimism.

He watched big brother Jeff celebrate with the 2006 Cardinals, but the closest Jered came was '09, when the Angels fell in six games in the AL Championship Series to the eventual champion Yankees.

After leading the Majors with 98 wins last season -- 18 going to Weaver in leading the AL -- the Angels were swept in the AL Division Series by a Wild Card Royals outfit playing out of its heads defensively. It was a familiar hurt for Weaver, who has learned to rebound fairly quickly and get back to work.

"We have the talent to get it done," Weaver said. "It's just a matter of going out and doing it."

Never one to dwell on his own numbers, Weaver has acquired a well-earned reputation as a great teammate. But a few salient facts might shed light on his brilliant career.

A three-time All-Star with a no-hitter on his resume, Weaver was in the top five in the AL Cy Young Award balloting three years running from 2010-12, finishing second to in '11. Weaver has led the league in strikeouts (233 in '10), wins (20 in '12, 18 last year) and WHIP ('12). He has twice ('10 and '14) led in starts.

Since breaking in after a storied college career at Long Beach State, Weaver has won more games (131) since 2006 than anybody except Verlander and CC Sabathia. Only , at .667, has a higher winning percentage since then than Weaver's .655.

Since 2006, Weaver is tied for second with in lowest on-base percentage yielded, at .288, behind only Kershaw's .273. Kershaw and are the only pitchers who have held opponents to a lower OPS with runners in scoring position than Weaver's .634.

With 1,405 strikeouts since 2006, Weaver leads , Adam Wainwright, Jake Peavy, Yovani Gallardo and John Lackey, his old teammate.

Even when his buddy Lackey departed for Boston's free-agent riches after a 2009 season in which Weaver had been the team's best starter, Jered waved off the ace designation, uncomfortable with being separated from rotation mates.

When Garrett Richards busted out with a brilliant 2014 before his fateful sprint to first at on Aug. 20 sent him to the surgeon's table to repair a knee, the young right-hander was widely hailed as the new ace. Richards respectfully declined with a respectful nod to Weaver when he said, "Jered is the ace on this team, the leader of our staff."

Nobody appreciates or values Weaver's professionalism more than Mike Scioscia, the right-hander's only big league manager.

"Weave looks strong," Scioscia said. "He's always been a tremendous competitor, off the charts. The added strength is going to show up over the season in his endurance, and he's going to be consistent."

What else would anyone expect of the craftsman? April 3, 2015 Page 17 of 25

FROM THE LA DAILY NEWS

Manfred: Decision on Josh Hamilton’s could come ‘shortly after’ opening day

By Clay Fowler Josh Hamilton’s fate won’t be determined until “shortly after” Opening Day, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said on SiriusXM radio Wednesday.

The Angels slugger, who was expected to miss the first month of the regular season after shoulder surgery Feb. 4, met with MLB officials in February, but neither side confirmed the reason for the meeting. Hamilton has a well documented history of struggling with drug and alcohol abuse.

“I think that we’ll have something on Hamilton in relatively short order,” Manfred said. “Probably has been a little slower just because he’s not available to play.”

• PHOTOS: Trout homers, Kendrick returns as Angels beat Dodgers

Angels manager Mike Scioscia bristled at questions about Hamilton on Thursday, prior to the Angels’ 3-2 win over the Dodgers, stating his preference not to express an opinion on his shoulder or his potential suspension until the commissioner makes a ruling.

“Josh isn’t really playing baseball right now,” Scioscia said. “You can’t answer questions until you’re confronted with what they’re going to be.”

Hamilton isn’t currently participating in baseball activities that Scioscia would consider evidence that he is close to being ready for a return.

FROM FOX SPORTS WEST

Weaver to make 7th career Opening Day start for Angels

By Rahshaun Haylock

ANAHEIM, CALIF. —

There is still much to be sorted out for Mike Scioscia and the Angels before the club opens the season in Seattle on Monday.

The rotation, however, is not one of them.

Scioscia announced his starting rotation Thursday for the first week of the season.

Jered Weaver will get the start for the Angels on Opening Day against the Seattle Mariners. Coverage begins Monday at 12:30 p.m. on FOX Sports West. For Weaver, it will be his seventh career start on Opening Day and sixth consecutive for the Angels. April 3, 2015 Page 18 of 25

To finish up the three-game series in the Pacific Northwest, it will be C.J. Wilson taking the mound Tuesday and Matt Shoemaker on Wednesday.

Hector Santiago has been pegged by Scioscia to start the home opener, one week from Friday, against the Royals.

With the team having an off day on Thursday, it's likely Weaver will start Saturday against the Royals -- a game that can be seen on FOX Sports 1 -- giving the Angels a four-man rotation to start the season.

"We're going to wait until we get there," Scioscia said of Weaver's potential start against the Royals. "But, I think that's what we're leaning towards. We're not going to make any decisions until we get to Sunday."

The Angels' skipper sees depth as a major coup for the club in 2015, and it's already being put to the test. The team will start the season with four players on the DL, including three pitchers -- Cory Rasmus, Tyler Skaggs and Garrett Richards.

Rasmus started six games for the team last season. Skaggs has been ruled out for all of 2015 after having his 2014 season cut short as a result of Tommy John surgery.

Richards pitched 5.1 shutout innings Thursday, allowing six hits, one walk and struck out five in a minor league game.

With the rotation for the start of the season set, it still leaves the biggest question heading into spring training unanswered. Who will be the club's starting second baseman? The answer will, likely, be a game-time decision.

"We have not decided on a starting second baseman but we will have a starting lineup, probably, sometime Monday morning (in) Seattle," Scioscia said.

Johnny Giavotella is believed to be the favorite to win the position battle.

Angels' Trout on follow-up MVP campaign: 'I'm a young kid just playing ball'

By Jill Painter Lopez

ANAHEIM, CALIF. —

Mike Trout was back at Angel Stadium on Thursday for the first time since last season to start his MVP follow-up campaign.

In his first at-bat in Thursday's home exhibition game against the Dodgers, he homered to right field off Sergio Santos.

He's already back in top form. April 3, 2015 Page 19 of 25

"I came in came in ready to go (into spring training)," Trout said. "I feel good at the plate right now. Just getting my at-bats and take it into the season."

His influence on the team, at the plate and in the dugout, is undeniable.

Trout's endorsement deal with Body Armor has led to a new contract for the Angels with the sports drink company, too. Body Armor coolers have now taken up residence in the dugout, along with the company's cups and towels.

Rob Gronkowski, another Body Armor client, came along for the ride Thursday as well. He's never seen an L.A.-area locker room he didn't like. Gronkowski and Trout hung out together before the game, and Gronkowski threw out the ceremonial first pitch with Trout as his catcher.

Perhaps some of that Super Bowl magic will rub off on Trout and the Angels, who had baseball's best offense last season but were swept in the playoffs by Kansas City.

Trout's star power is rising with every home run and autograph he signs. He has endorsement deals with Nike and Subway to name a couple, but those aren't his priorities.

"'I'm just focused on playing baseball," Trout said. "I'm not really into the marketing stuff just yet. I'm a young kid just playing ball."

He's keeping it simple.

And if spring training is any indicator, Trout is picking up where he left off.

"(I'm going to) keep my game the way it's been the past couple years," Trout said. "Not try to do anything different. Just go out there keep playing."

Having the same routine has worked well for Trout.

In spring, Trout had a .451 batting average with four home runs and 14 RBI. He had a .824 .

In running away with the 2014 MVP award, Trout hit 36 home runs and had 111 RBI, but had just 16 stolen bases, and that's one thing he wants to change this year. That, and cutting down on strikeouts.

He's glad to be back at his second home, where he's a superstar and arguably the face of Major League Baseball.

And leaving behind the hot weather in Tempe wasn't bad, either.

"It's good to get out of that heat," Trout said. "It was really hot this year, this spring training. It feels good to be by the ocean and back to our home field."

Especially since he seemingly is in that same groove he was last year.

April 3, 2015 Page 20 of 25 Gronkowski and Trout team up for ceremonial first pitch and fun in Angels dugout

By Jill Painter Lopez

ANAHEIM, CALIF. —

The Rob Gronkowski Super Bowl celebratory tour is still a thing, and he made a stop at Angel Stadium on Thursday to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Mike Trout caught Gronkowski, but Gronkowski didn't exactly go by the script. He made like teammate Tom Brady and fired the pitch to home plate.

"He told me he was going to spike it and then he threw it, so it kinda caught me off guard," Trout said. "It's all good because I caught it. Almost hit me in the face."

The reigning American League MVP and Super Bowl champion tight end shared some good laughs over that as they walked off the field. Gronkowski hung out in the Angels dugout for Thursday's exhibition game against the Dodgers, and he talked plenty with Trout and the Angels.

Asked if he was trying to give him baseball tips, Trout said: "Not really any baseball tips. He wants to come hit BP one of these days. He's a great guy to have around in the clubhouse. We had a good time."

Gronkowski has been having a good time celebrating around the country, and this isn't the first Southern California locker room he's been in this offseason. He hung out with the Clippers after a game earlier this year, but he had to share his time with Justin Bieber, who was also in the locker room that day.

Gronkowski got plenty of television time in the dugout Thursday. Trout didn't pick Gronkowski's brain on winning a championship but maybe Gronkowski's next visit.

"I didn't talk to him that much. We were just messing around," Trout said. "It was cool to have him in the clubhouse. A lot of guys wanted to meet him."

Not long after that ceremonial first pitch, Trout homered in his first at-bat, picking up where he left off from his MVP campaign.

Trout and Gronkowski already have something in common beside being professional athletes since they both have endorsement deals with Body Armor. The Angels also just signed a contract with Body Armor as well, linking Gronkowski's brief stint as a pitcher and Trout's quick gig as a catcher.

April 3, 2015 Page 21 of 25 Decision on Angels' Hamilton expected to come 'shortly after' Opening Day

By Rahshaun Haylock

ANAHEIM, CALIF. —

When Josh Hamilton will return to the Angels is still unclear, but a decision won't be made by Opening Day, according to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred.

Will there be a suspension?

Hamilton was never with the team during spring training, nor is he with the Angels at Angel Stadium for this three-game exhibition series with the Dodgers. The Angels open the regular season Monday in Seattle.

Manfred, when asked by Sirius XM in an interview if a Hamilton decision would come before Opening Day as was previously expected, said: "shortly after, probably," via Yahoo! Sports.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Hamilton -- who has previously violated MLB's drug policy -- wouldn't be ready by Opening Day anyway. Hamilton had shoulder surgery on Feb. 4 and is still rehabbing and likely wouldn't be expected back before May. Then, there's a possible suspension, too. He has yet to do any baseball activities.

"We're going to take it one step at a time," Scioscia said. "Josh isn't ready to play baseball right now. We're just business as usual. You can't answer questions until you're confronted with exactly they're going to be. We'll see the first step here shortly and we'll see what we're dealing with."

Asked what Hamilton's state of mind is, Scioscia said: "He's trying to rehab. It's not fun rehabbing. Rehabbing his shoulder surgery. He's probably along the timeline. He's not really in baseball activities yet where we'd say he's close to coming back and playing. It's a process."

The Angels don't have a locker for Hamilton yet. There are 38 players with the Angels now, but the roster will be trimmed to 25 by Opening Day. That means a crowded locker room until a dozen or so players who aren't making the team are sent down to the minor leagues. Also, the Angels have four players who will start the season on the disabled list -- Tyler Skaggs, Garrett Richards, Cory Rasmus and Hamilton.

"... You can't plan on using him if you don't have him," Scioscia said. "We're going to take this one step at a time."

April 3, 2015 Page 22 of 25

FROM YAHOO SPORTS

Albert Pujols' touching gesture for brother of Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson

By Tim Brown

ANAHEIM, Calif. – A few days ago, Albert Pujols' phone buzzed. He'd been sent a photo. He tapped the phone and there was Champ Pederson, Joc's oldest brother. Champ was holding up a jersey – , No. 5, PUJOLS across the back, signed by Pujols himself – and wearing a great big smile.

Pujols had met the young man about a week before at a screening for a movie called "Where Hope Grows." It's about baseball, but mostly it's about Down syndrome.

Isabella Pujols, Albert's oldest child, has Down syndrome. So does Champ.

"Sometimes I have to tell her to do something two or three times," he said. "But sometimes people need to tell me two or three times."

Pujols and Joc Pederson had not met before March 16, the night of the screening in Phoenix. They both play and share a market, and people in the business tend to be acquainted. But Pujols is 35, three MVPs and 520 home runs into this and headed for the Hall of Fame, while Pederson is 22, has 28 days of service time and still hasn't been able to tell his parents for sure if they should fly down from Palo Alto, Calif., for Monday's season opener at Dodger Stadium.

So it was something of a surprise that night when Pujols worked his way through the crowd, found the Pedersons – father Stu, mother Shelly, Joc and Champ – and introduced himself. Champ was beside himself.

"You're my favorite player," he said, well within earshot of Joc.

"Champ," Shelly said, "your brother…"

"Nope," Champ said. "Albert Pujols."

He asked for a jersey.

Pujols laughed.

"They're pretty special kids," he said.

The Pedersons knew The Pujols Foundation, knew the work it did for people – children in particular – with Down syndrome and other disabilities. Champ did too. From that, they figured Pujols must be a good man. Champ is a pretty good judge of these things.

"Champ's been wanting to meet him for a long time," Joc said.

Funny when your eyes are open, your heart too, what comes of it. Three days later, the Dodgers hosted the Angels at Camelback Ranch. Pujols was at first base. Pederson subbed into the game as a pinch- runner at first. April 3, 2015 Page 23 of 25

"I have Champ's jersey," Pujols told him. "I'll be sure it gets to you."

It was in a box, on the bus, before the Angels left for Tempe.

"I was kind of shocked," Joc said. "A lot of people say stuff and don't follow through."

The act of signing a jersey and handing it over maybe isn't much. Not by itself. But tell Champ. Tell all the other boys and girls who attend Pujols events. Tell the Pedersons, whose first-born son might not take that jersey off for a while. Look at the photo, look at Champ's ear-to-ear happiness, and ask the Pedersons if a casual meeting, a pass of a Sharpie and a small emotional investment is or isn't much.

So on a Thursday night at Angel Stadium, where the Dodgers and Angels met to get a sense of big- stadium lighting and to pull themselves a few innings closer to the regular season, Joc was stretching near the right-field line and Albert had finished a sprint in shallow center field. Joc caught his eye. Albert nodded. And Joc trotted to him. They hugged, had a short conversation, hugged again and returned to their game preparation.

There'd be no hard reason for the veteran Pujols and the budding Pederson to know what makes the other what. Or why. Pederson, of course, has followed Pujols' career and admired him as a ballplayer. Pujols had heard of Pederson, knew he played this winter in Pujols' native Dominican Republic, and introduced himself at a movie. That's it.

The bond is Isabella. And it's Champ. And it's everybody like them who has to work a little harder to get through the day, whose challenges are slightly larger than most, but who see an awful lot of good out there. Pujols helped raised Isabella. Pederson helped raise Champ. They know that about each other.

"I feel like I've almost known Joc for a very long time because of that," Pujols said. "These kids have special needs. But I'm sure he doesn't look at it like that. That's his brother. I don't look at my daughter and say, 'Oh, she has Down syndrome.' She's my daughter. She's one of my five kids."

Joc's mother, Shelly, sent him a video of Champ opening the box and discovering the jersey inside. Of Albert, she told Joc, "I like that he's about that." Because they're about that. too. And maybe one day Joc will be a great baseball player, and one day he'll be Champ's favorite player (though it would appear that'll take some doing), and he'll still be about that, just like Albert Pujols is.

"It's a mutual sense of respect, I think," Joc said. "You've been through some of the same things he's been through."

He seemed to think it over again, the life they've all had with Champ, and the chance meeting with the one guy Champ really wanted to meet, and then Champ and that jersey. He smiled.

"It's pretty cool," Joc said.

April 3, 2015 Page 24 of 25

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

RECAP: Trout helps Angels beat Dodgers 3-2

ANAHEIM, CALIF. —

Mike Trout and Matt Shoemaker were in midseason form during the Freeway Series exhibition opener. So was aggressive right fielder Yasiel Puig.

Trout homered his first time up in Southern California since being selected AL MVP, and Shoemaker pitched effectively into the seventh innings in his final spring tuneup to lead the Los Angeles Angels over the 3-2 Thursday night.

The Dodgers got a huge scare when Puig was shaken up in a violent collision with new teammate Howie Kendrick in the fifth inning while chasing a shallow fly by Trout that fell for a leadoff triple.

Kendrick, who spent his first nine big league seasons playing second base for the Angels before they traded him to the Dodgers in December, peeled off when he heard Puig call for the ball at the last instant - but could not avoid hitting him.

Puig went down and was tended to by a trainer before walking off the field under his own power. The Dodgers said he was removed from the game as a precaution and was expected to be fine.

"I'm glad everybody's OK. That's the main thing," manager Don Mattingly said. "It looked like Howie got him in the neck or the throat with his shoulder. Howie didn't hear anything until the last second. The infielder's going to keep going until he hears something, and that's basically what Howie did. That's when it gets dangerous."

Puig was replaced in right field by Chris Heisey. Trout scored moments later on Albert Pujols' sacrifice fly, which gave the Angels a 3-1 lead.

Gronkowski and Trout team up for ceremonial first pitch and fun in Angels dugout

Shoemaker allowed a run and five hits over 6 1-3 innings with three strikeouts in his fifth start this spring. The right-hander, who set a franchise rookie record last year with 16 wins, gave up four runs over six innings in a loss to the Dodgers last Saturday.

"I thought the crispness of my pitches was a little bit better this time," Shoemaker said. "We did what we wanted - execute the game plan."

Kendrick received a warm greeting from the Angel Stadium crowd his first time up. Three pitches later he was robbed of a hit on a leaping catch by Johnny Giavotella - one of his replacements at second base.

"It was a little weird to see him in those colors," Shoemaker said.

The Dodgers got their second run on an RBI groundout in the eighth by Heisey.

Trout, batting .463 this spring with five homers and 16 RBIs, drove a 1-1 pitch from right-hander Sergio Santos over the 18-foot wall in right-center. April 3, 2015 Page 25 of 25

The Dodgers tied it in the fourth on rookie Joc Pederson's two-out RBI single, but the Angels regained the lead in the bottom half on a leadoff double by and C.J. Cron's single.

Mike Morin struck out the side in the ninth for a save.

Santos was the first of eight pitchers used by Mattingly. Josh Ravin took the loss.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Dodgers: RHP Mike Adams, who was scheduled to start this all-bullpen game, won't report to Triple-A for the start of the season after the club told him Tuesday he will not be on the opening-day roster. Adams is 36 and experienced shoulder problems the past two seasons with . "Mike's going to shut it down for now," Mattingly said. "He didn't feel like he was recovering (from his outings) as fast as he wanted to and he felt like he needed more time. He's going home for now."

Angels: They will open the season with four players on the disabled list: LF Josh Hamilton, RHP Garrett Richards, LHP Tyler Skaggs and RHP Cory Rasmus.

KENLEY'S COMEBACK

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, who will begin the season on the DL, isn't expected to be ready to pitch until mid-May. "Nothing's told us that he's not going to be ready by then," Mattingly said. "He seems to have passed every hurdle to this point. But I think that we still go through the process. There's always boxes you have to keep checking off. He's going to have to start walking on that foot and start throwing on it. Then he has to get on the mound, and we'll see where it all goes."

Sep 5, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) waits on deck in the fourth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Los Angeles Angels win 7-6 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Dodgers: Pederson robbed Erick Aybar of a hit with a diving catch in right-center to start the second.

Angels: New Commissioner Rob Manfred said Wednesday on SiriusXM radio that a decision on possible discipline for Hamilton likely will come after opening day. Hamilton, recovering from shoulder surgery, met with baseball officials last month, but neither side provided details on the reason why. The 2010 AL MVP has had a long history of drug and alcohol abuse, and has been suspended in the past. This is the third season of a $125 million, five-year contract with the club. ... Kendrick's old locker in the Angels' clubhouse is now being occupied by Trout. INF Johnny Giavotella has been assigned Hamilton's locker.

UP NEXT

Game 2 of the Freeway Series on Friday night, with RHP Brandon McCarthy scheduled to start for the Dodgers against LHP Andrew Heaney.