Kendrys Morales is finally making significant progress in his now two-year-long recovery from a broken ankle.
Morales played in a minor-league game yesterday for the third time in four days, afterward telling Marcia Smith of the Orange County Register that his twice-repaired ankle “is a little sore, but I’m fine and will hit again tomorrow.” Morales added that “I’m excited to hit again. I’m feeling more comfortable.”
Counting on Morales returning to his pre-injury production is obviously asking a lot, but having the switch-hitter in the middle of the lineup again could be huge for the Angels. In the 203 games preceding the injury Morales hit .302 with 45 homers, 48 doubles, and a .901 OPS, and even after missing nearly two whole seasons he’s still just 28 years old.
Manager Mike Scioscia described Morales as having made “leaps and bounds” within the past 10 days, so there may finally be a light at the end of the tunnel.
UPDATE: Not so fast, apparently. Morales is out of the lineup today because of shin soreness.
