Vladimir Guerrero News: Pro Sports Daily

Lack of outfield time frustrates Guerrero

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June 26

Orange County Register

"Vladimir Guerrero conceded after Wednesday night's Angels victory against the Colorado Rockies that not being able to play in the outfield affected him during his hitting slump. It's not the pectoral injury which landed him on the disabled list in April that was bothering him, however. Not being able to play in the outfield was the problem. The Angels open a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks tonight in Phoenix, and Guerrero is coming off a game in which he had an RBI double and his first home run since April 12. Guerrero was struggling at the plate. He knew it, as did everyone who watched him swing. But since he wasn't able to play in the outfield he wasn't able to channel ..."

Angels' Guerrero tests his arm

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June 18

Orange County Register

"The clock is ticking down on one of the most feared outfield throwers in baseball history, but Vladimir Guerrero isn't ready to retire his right arm yet. Three hours before Wednesday's game, Guerrero stood in right field at AT"

Vlad hopes return as DH is a smash

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May 25

MLB.com

"The Angels welcome back their big bopper, Vladimir Guerrero, for a homestand that brings the White Sox and Mariners to Angel Stadium for three games apiece. Guerrero, sidelined since April 15 with a pectoral muscle tear, will be in the designated-hitter role until he's ready to reclaim right field. There is no timetable for his return to full-service duty, but he has made no secret over the years of his preference for playing the total game. "Vlad's ready to swing the bat," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. "We've got him in a bubble-wrap today." The Angels are hoping Guerrero will bust out of his wrap with familiar gusto. He appeared in only eight games, ..."

Angels fortunes hinge on Vladimir Guerrero's return

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May 22

Los Angeles Times

"Vladimir Guerrero will begin a three-game minor league rehabilitation assignment with Class A Rancho Cucamonga tonight, and the Angels slugger is expected to be activated for Monday night's game against the Chicago White Sox in Anaheim. How Guerrero bounces back from the torn right chest muscle that has sidelined him since April 16 will go a long way toward determining the Angels' fortunes this season If Guerrero is anything close to the feared masher who hit at least .300 with 25 home runs or more for 11 consecutive seasons -- Lou Gehrig is the only other player to accomplish that feat -- the Angels could have enough firepower to contend for the pennant. If Guerrero suffers a physical ..."

Guerrero to begin rehab assignment Friday

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May 19

Los Angeles Times

"Ticket sales at Class-A Lake Elsinore could receive a nice boost this weekend. Angels slugger Vladimir Guerrero, out since April 16 because of a torn right pectoral muscle, is expected to begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment Friday for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, which begins a four-game series at Lake Elsinore that night. Guerrero, who will probably be activated next Monday, will probably have a big league carpool buddy on Friday. Kelvim Escobar, who joined the Angels in Seattle on Monday after a brief stint at the team's extended spring training camp in Arizona, will resume his rehab assignment for Rancho Cucamonga on Friday. Guerrero began taking batting practice Friday in Texas ..."

Injured Vlad runs bases

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April 29

MLB.com

"Injured Angels outfielder Vladimir Guerrero ran the bases at Camden Yards before Tuesday's game against the Orioles, an initial step toward resuming baseball activities within the week. "Probably he'll get into baseball activities when we return home [May 6]," manager Mike Scioscia said. "We're trying to keep his legs and his trunk where it needs to be. He's coming along well, just trying to get direction from Dr. [Lewis] Yocum as to how we're going to progress.""

Guerrero, still on DL, shows 'encouraging' signs

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April 29

Los Angeles Times

"There has been speculation that the torn chest muscle that sent Vladimir Guerrero to the disabled list April 18 will sideline him for much more than a month, with one Internet report claiming the injury can knock out NFL offensive linemen for entire seasons. "We're fortunate Vlad doesn't have to block 325-pound defensive linemen," General Manager Tony Reagins said, dismissing such speculation. "The reports on Vlad have been positive. He's gaining more strength and flexibility in the area. That's all encouraging." Guerrero, who injured the muscle on the left side of his chest, accompanied the Angels on the road and ran the bases and did agility drills before Tuesday's game. Manager Mike ..."

Vladimir Guerrero is out for at least a month

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April 18

Los Angeles Times

"An offense that was already struggling to score runs received a major body blow Friday when Vladimir Guerrero was diagnosed with a torn pectoral muscle, an injury that sent the Angels slugger to the disabled list and will sideline him for at least a month and probably longer. "Obviously, short of Vlad needing surgery, this is a big blow," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "We'll see how he progresses. Some of the windows we've been given [for how long he'll be out] are optimistic; some are longer. But we're going to be conservative. He'll be reevaluated in a month, and we'll see where he is." Guerrero, who suffered the injury while throwing from right field to third base in an April 2 exhibition ..."

Angels' Guerrero misses game against Mariners

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April 17

Los Angeles Times

"There was a considerable void in the lineup Thursday night. While the Angels played the Mariners, cleanup batter Vladimir Guerrero, diagnosed with a right pectoral strain, traveled to Southern California to be examined by a team physician. How long the slugger remains sidelined will be determined by the course of action Dr. Lewis Yocum recommends. Guerrero will either be given time to heal so he can return to right field -- an option that would probably require a trip to the disabled list -- or join the team in Minnesota this weekend as a designated hitter, the spot he played in the first eight games. "If it's something where it needs a little bit of time to bounce back, we'll consider ..."

Vladimir Guerrero is a year older than listed

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March 7

Los Angeles Times

"Vladimir Guerrero is a year older but not a year wiser. The Angels' slugger inadvertently revealed Friday that he is 34 years old, not 33, as listed in the team's media guide. The discrepancy was discovered by Yahoo! Sports columnist Tim Brown, who, as part of an interview for a story on Guerrero, asked the outfielder to respond to a quote from Manager Mike Scioscia. In a morning interview session with reporters, Scioscia said Guerrero's October surgery to clean out scar tissue and repair cartilage damage in his right knee could "point to a guy maybe turning back the clock a couple of years." Relayed that quote through an interpreter, Guerrero smiled and said, "I feel good. I can't say ..."

Vlad back on field for BP

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February 26

Orange County Register

"For the first time in a week, Angels slugger Vladimir Guerrero is taking batting practice on the main field (in a group with Bobby Abreu, Torii Hunter and Juan Rivera — with White Sox manager/chatterbox Ozzie Guillen watching). Guerrero has been doing most of his work off the main field as he follows a rehab program from his off-season knee surgery. “He’s in a controlled running program and actually, it’s really baby steps,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said this morning. ”He’s doing a lot of work in the swimming pool. doing some mobility or agility-type movements. “We have a lot of time with Vlad. We’re going to keep him involved wth baseball activities as much as we can — hitting in the ..."

Guerrero 'feeling good' again

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February 24

L.A. Daily News

"Vladimir Guerrero is making no predictions about whether he will be the Vladdy of old - or the old Vladdy he seemed to be for much of the first two months of last season. But the Angels slugger arrived in camp last week "feeling good" after offseason surgery to clean up some cartilage damage in his right knee. "Like I always say, I ask God to give me good health and I think this is the right step," Guerrero said through an interpreter. "I look forward to playing every day and performing every day. I don't want to predict numbers. But the fact that I'm healthy is important and a good feeling. "I'm looking forward to the season." Doctors had recommended surgery to relieve the discomfort in ..."

Angels' Guerrero healthy, optimistic

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February 18

Orange County Register

"Vladimir Guerrero is making no predictions about whether he will be the Vladdy of old or the old Vladdy he seemed to be early last season. But the Angels slugger arrived in camp Tuesday "feeling good" after offseason surgery to clean up some cartilage damage in his right knee. "I look forward to playing every day and performing every day," Guerrero said through an interpreter. "I don't want to predict numbers. But the fact that I'm healthy is important and a good feeling. I'm looking forward to the season." Doctors had recommended surgery to relieve the discomfort in Guerrero's right knee on more than one occasion before last year. But it wasn't until the end of the 2008 season that ..."

Angels table contract talks with Vladimir Guerrero

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November 8

Los Angeles Times

"The Angels have tabled contract negotiations with Vladimir Guerrero, raising the possibility that the star outfielder could leave the team as a free agent next fall. The Angels exercised their $15-million option last week but opted not to revive discussions about a long-term extension. General Manager Tony Reagins said the Angels based the decision on the results of preliminary negotiations held last winter. "I think both sides have to be in a comfortable range as far as what an extension may or may not entail," Reagins said. "We're a ways away." It is uncertain whether Guerrero will consider an extension next fall without testing free agency. Diego Bentz, the agent for Guerrero, did not ..."

Angels' Guerrero, Matthews have surgery

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October 29

Orange County Register

"Two years after resisting suggestions that he have surgery on his troublesome knees, Vladimir Guerrero submitted to a minor procedure to repair the medial meniscus in his left knee earlier this month. In addition, outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. had surgery Tuesday to repair a tear in the patella tendon of his left knee and catcher Mike Napoli is scheduled to have minor surgery on his right shoulder Friday. Guerrero and Napoli are expected to recover in time to participate in spring training with no limitations. Matthews' recovery, meanwhile, is expected to take four to six months, according to GM Tony Reagins, and extend into March and possibly April. He is not likely to be ready to play ..."

Justin Masterson pulls fast one on Vlad

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October 7

Boston Herald

"There’s reaching back for a little extra and then there’s what Justin Masterson pulled out of his back pocket Sunday night against Vladimir Guerrero. Pitching in the eighth inning of Game 3 of the Division Series with the go-ahead run on base, Masterson blew away the Angels slugger with a 96-mph, four-seam fastball that looked like something closer Jonathan Papelbon would throw. “It was cool,” Masterson said yesterday with a laugh. “I’ll say a gift from God came down on my arm.” The pitch to Guerrero was stunning for a number of reasons. For one, Masterson spent most of the season topping out at 92 or 93 mph. For another, it was a four-seamer and not the trademark two-seamer he throws with ..."

Vladimir Guerrero faces off-season decision on knee

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September 23

Los Angeles Times

"Manager Mike Scioscia said Vladimir Guerrero's irritated right knee, which sidelined the right fielder for six games last week, is "significantly better than it was a couple weeks ago." But even if the slugger is close to 100% for the playoffs next week, there is a chance he will undergo surgery on the troublesome knee after the season. Guerrero has had knee problems for three years -- he has averaged 141 at-bats as a designated hitter the last three seasons -- but chose rest and rehabilitation over surgery the last two winters. In late August, after Guerrero hit .319 with six home runs and 21 runs batted in in 16 games, he said his knee felt better than it had in years. But he aggravated ..."

Mariner killer Guerrero leads Angels to win

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August 13

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"It's a lesson the Mariners should know better than anyone: You never, ever give Vladimir Guerrero an extra chance to beat you. But Tuesday night at Angel Stadium, the Mariners did, and he made them pay as Los Angeles opened a two-game series with a 7-3 victory. Guerrero, the ultimate Mariner killer with a .364 career average against Seattle, hit a ball deep to right-center in the first inning with a man on base. But Ichiro Suzuki made a running catch at the wall, averting disaster. In Guerrero's next at-bat in the third inning, he came up with two men on and his team trailing 3-0. He fouled a ball back to the screen but catcher Jeff Clement dropped it, extending the at-bat. Every Mariners ..."

Will Angels grant Vladimir Guerrero a stay?

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August 10

Los Angeles Times

"In one corner of the Angels' clubhouse, Francisco Rodriguez all but counts down the days to free agency. In the opposite corner, so does Mark Teixeira. In the middle of the clubhouse, the best player on the team sits on a shelf inside his locker so you can sit on his chair. As Vladimir Guerrero talks, softly, he wants to make his position perfectly clear. He has no desire to test the market, to solicit bids from far and wide, to count down the days until he can become a free agent. He wants to sign a contract extension and finish his career with the Angels. "That's something I'd like," Guerrero said through translator Jose Mota, "to stay here and not have to move again. "I'm a human ..."

Angels' Guerrero is no longer an old story this month

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June 21

L.A. Daily News

"Bamm- Bamm is back. "Vladdy - at the end of the season, his numbers are going to be there," Angels outfielder Torii Hunter said of teammate Vladimir Guerrero. "It's too early to say he's not the same, getting older, he's hurt or something. It's early. At the end of the year, Vladdy's numbers are going to be there. You see him at the plate now, he's ready to hit. He's like Bamm-Bamm on 'The Flintstones.'" For the first two months of the season, though, Guerrero's numbers were mere pebbles. He hit just .219 in May and ended the month with a .246 average - easily the worst two-month start of his career and enough to prompt the kind of speculation Hunter dismissed."

Vladimir Guerrero gets another day off for Angels

May 29

Los Angeles Times

"Vladimir Guerrero has shown signs of coming out of his season-long funk, hitting three home runs last week and going three for six Monday night. But Manager Mike Scioscia saw enough of a regression Tuesday -- a first-inning strikeout on an outside ball in the dirt and a strikeout looking at a full-count slider with two on to end the sixth -- that he gave Guerrero his second game off in four days Wednesday."

Guerrero beats up Blue Jays

May 22

Toronto Star

"While the Blue Jay offence suffered through another excruciating time at the plate last night, Vladimir Guerrero demonstrated, once again, that he doesn't really need a plate at all. With a pair of long, early homers off Shaun Marcum, the soft-spoken Guerrero accounted for all the L.A. scoring in another Blue Jay setback, this one 4-3."

Guerrero powers Angels to victory

May 22

L.A. Daily News

"The power is back on. Vladimir Guerrero hit two home runs and drove in all the Angels' runs Wednesday night as they held on for a 4-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. The Angels had just four hits, but Guerrero's 34th career multi- home run game ac- counted for half of them as they won back-to-back games in Toronto for the first time since a three- game sweep July9-11, 2004."

Angels' Guerrero getting back in the swing of it

May 7

Los Angeles Times

"Vladimir Guerrero showed signs of breaking out of a 10-day slump in which his average fell 39 points, doubling and tripling in Tuesday's win over the Royals. "I think No. 27 might be finding his way back," reliever Scot Shields said. Since collecting his 2,000th hit in Detroit on April 26, Guerrero had managed just four singles in 26 at-bats -- a .154 average -- before he tripled off the center-field wall in the first inning Tuesday. Guerrero later doubled, walked and scored two runs. He also lost a hit and a run batted in when second baseman Mark Grudzielanek speared his line drive up the middle in the eighth."

Guerrero sits for one day

April 18

Los Angeles Times

"It's rare for Vladimir Guerrero to come out of the lineup; he has been on the disabled list only twice since the start of the 1998 season and sat out only two games last April after being hit on the left wrist by Josh Beckett's 96-mph fastball. So, for the slugger to agree he needed Thursday night off, his swollen right index finger had to be hurting. But Guerrero said the injury, suffered on Wednesday's fifth-inning groundout, would sideline him for only one game and is nothing to be concerned about."

Angels' Guerrero gets the shift from Rangers

April 15

L.A. Daily News

"Well, they had to try something. During his first three seasons in the American League, Vladimir Guerrero hit the Texas Rangers as if they'd said something bad about his family. He hit safely in 44 consecutive games against the Rangers at one point, the longest streak by any player against one team in the past 50 years."

Angels' Guerrero sees shift in fortunes against Texas

April 7

Los Angeles Times

"But early last season Texas Manager Ron Washington went to a shift against him, putting three infielders on the left side, and Guerrero -- who went hitless Sunday -- has batted a more mortal .294 without a homer in his last 18 games against the Rangers."

Angels' Guerrero still not sold on DH role

March 24

Los Angeles Times

"When he arrived for spring training, Vladimir Guerrero was not thrilled with being shuttled between right field and designated hitter, part of Manager Mike Scioscia's plan to keep Guerrero, Garret Anderson and Gary Matthews Jr. in the lineup."

Angels' Guerrero still doesn't like DH rotation

March 24

L.A. Daily News

"With Opening Day just a week away, the idea of spending more of his summer as a designated hitter still holds no appeal to Vladimir Guerrero. "I don't feel I should address that," the Angels slugger said Sunday when the topic was once again broached through an interpreter."

Guerrero just says no to DH idea

February 20

Los Angeles Times

"A question about spending more time at designated hitter hadn't even been interpreted to English when slugger Vladimir Guerrero began shaking his head firmly. "No, no DH," Guerrero said Tuesday, before switching to Spanish."

Guerrero, Anderson: Don't make us DH

February 20

L.A. Daily News

"There was nothing lost in translation this time. Angels slugger Vladimir Guerrero reported to camp Tuesday and talked with reporters. Angels coach Alfredo Griffin served as interpreter, but his services were unnecessary when Guerrero was asked about the Angels' plan to use him and Garret Anderson at designated hitter more often this season."

Guerrero says no to DH role

February 20

Orange County Register

"There was nothing lost in translation this time. Angels slugger Vladimir Guerrero reported to camp Tuesday and talked with reporters. Angels coach Alfredo Griffin served as interpreter, but his services were unnecessary when Guerrero was asked about the Angels plan to play him and Garret Anderson at designated hitter more often this season."

Guerrero doesn't want to be DH

February 20

Riverside Press Enterprise

"So, that great plan, the one the Angels had about rotating Vladimir Guerrero and Garret Anderson through the designated hitter spot, doesn't look so rosy now."

Guerrero balks at DH role

February 19

Los Angeles Times

"No translation was necessary today for Angels slugger Vladimir Guerrero, who began shaking his head firmly as the question -- how does he feel about spending more time at designated hitter this season? -- was asked in English. "No, no," Guerrero said, before switching to Spanish. "I'm a right fielder," he said through first-base coach Alfredo Griffin, who was translating. "I've got to wait until the season starts, see how my body responds, then we can decide what's best for me.""

Angels' Guerrero, Dodgers' Martin win Silver Slugger Awards

November 10

Los Angeles Times

"Vladimir Guerrero of the Angels and Russell Martin of the Dodgers won Silver Slugger Awards as the best offensive players at their positions in their respective leagues."

Angels' Guerrero expected to play today

October 7

Los Angeles Times

"Vladimir Guerrero left Fenway Park on Friday night with a fist-sized welt on his left shoulder blade, courtesy of a Manny Delcarmen fastball that drilled the Angels slugger in the seventh inning of Game 2. But X-rays taken Saturday were negative, tests were normal, and Guerrero, who was pulled from Friday's game in the eighth inning, is expected to start in right field today."

Angels' Guerrero cleared to play against Red Sox

October 7

L.A. Daily News

"Vladimir Guerrero will play in pain today after X-rays on his left shoulder Saturday revealed nothing more than a contusion."

Guerrero to play today despite sore shoulder

October 7

Riverside Press Enterprise

"Vladimir Guerrero is expected to be in the lineup today, though it could be a game-time decision as to whether or not he will be able to play right field after leaving Friday's game with a left shoulder contusion."

Ramirez, Guerrero dissimilar

October 7

Boston Herald

"There may be no two hitters in baseball more different in approach than Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez and Los Angeles Angels masher Vladimir Guerrero. Ramirez is a model of patience and control. Guerrero attacks any pitch that is within city limits."

Mom and Vlad

October 3

Los Angeles Times

"Guerrero breaks into a wide smile. It's as if Mota has thrown a batting practice fastball right in his wheelhouse. 'My mother,' he says. So there you have it: The man many American League pitchers dread most is, at heart, a God-fearing, Bible-toting mama's boy."

Vladimir Guerrero limited by injury to his arm

September 20

Los Angeles Times

"The Angels can count on Vladimir Guerrero in the playoffs, but they can't count on him in right field. Guerrero's arm injury has lingered for two weeks now, and the playoffs start in another two weeks. Manager Mike Scioscia raised the possibility Wednesday that Guerrero might be restricted to designated hitter when the playoffs open."

Guerrero to Test Arm

September 20

Riverside Press Enterprise

"It's been two weeks since Vladimir Guerrero's inflamed right triceps forced him out of the lineup and nearly a week since he last attempted to throw to test the pain. Wednesday marked the ninth straight game Guerrero has been the team's designated hitter. He reported minimal progress in his healing, though he expects to try to throw again today."

Guerrero still limited in DH role

September 20

Orange County Register

"Even Superman had his limits. Vladimir Guerrero, who wears a Superman T-shirt around the clubhouse, will continue to have a limited role for the Angels down the stretch. With 10 games left in the season, the slugger still can't throw a ball without experiencing discomfort."

Guerrero's key accessory still missing

September 19

Orange County Register

columnist Mark Whicker

"Scouting and strategy bounce off Guerrero like pebbles off a tank. Everybody's book is to pitch him up and in, but that becomes a messy pulp novel if the pitch isn't perfect. The knowledge that Guerrero is immune to conventional weapons can unsettle the foe, and it emboldens the Angels. If all else fails, they say, we've got him."

Guerrero returns, Matthews exits in Angels victory

September 12

Orange County Register

"The Angels took one step forward Tuesday night when Vladimir Guerrero returned to the lineup after missing four games. He hit a pair of two-run home runs in a 10-5 victory over the Baltimore Orioles that moved the Angels one step closer to clinching the American League West. But they also took one big hobble backward when Gary Matthews Jr. suffered a second-degree sprain of his right ankle on a third-inning slide."

Guerrero returns with two homers in a 10-5 route of the Orioles

September 12

Riverside Press Enterprise

"Guerrero mashed two two-run homers, keying a 10-5 victory over the Orioles, but Matthews caught his spikes in an infield muddied by afternoon drizzle. He suffered a second-degree sprain, putting him in a protective boot and on crutches."

Angels Glad For Return Of Vlad

September 11

L.A. Daily News

"Today at 4 p.m. when the Angels begin a six-game road trip in Baltimore, Guerrero will be back in the starting lineup against the Orioles' right-hander."

In Guerrero and Santana, Angels see best, worst

August 29

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"Vladimir Guerrero continued to torment, dishearten and downright infuriate Mariners fans. He went 4-for-5 with two doubles and three RBIs."

Guerrero’s Mother Serves As Maternal Figure To All

August 10

Orange County Register

"Alvino is living in Anaheim mostly to help out her son — Angels All-Star Vladimir Guerrero. But she is also the cook for her son’s teammates, coaches and even rivals on other teams before home games."

Angels take exception to a pitch thrown behind Guerrero's back

August 6

Orange County Register

"Guerrero drove in seven of the Angels’ 11 runs in the first three games of this series, hitting two home runs in each of the first two games. Saturday, the A’s walked him intentionally with two outs and nobody on in the third inning. Sunday, they walked him three times including the first inning (only once officially an intentional walk)."