Angels' Vladimir Guerrero Hits the DL

Vladimir Guerrero and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim received some troubling news today. The news? Vlad has suffered a tear in his right pectoral muscle. The original MRI test showed just a strain but after a visit to Dr. Lewis Yocum, the tear was discovered.

So what does this mean for the Angels and Vlad? An extended stint on the disabled list.

At the moment, Angels’ manager Mike Scioscia thinks Guerrero can recover from the injury without surgery. With that being the case, there is no definitive timetable for his return to the lineup. All we know is that Guerrero will be reevaluated by Yocum in a month. That’s the closest thing to a return date that Scioscia would give.

So Angels fans, when can you reasonably expect Vlad back? I’d say six to eight weeks.

If his doctor visit next month comes back clean, it would probably take him a couple weeks to get back into shape and get some minor league at-bats in.

The bigger question, though, is how do the Angels replace his bat and defense?

I’ll say right now there is no way his defense can be replaced. Yes, I know he hasn’t played defense yet this year, but that was coming eventually. Newly acquired Bobby Abreu will pretty much stay in his customary right field, while Gary Matthews, Jr. and Juan Rivera split time in left. At least that’s what I think will happen.

The main problem is replacing Vlad’s offense. It’s something that they can’t possibly replace. In my opinion, there are two main options for the Angels.

1.) Whomever doesn’t start out of the Matthews / Rivera tandem plays DH. You get both bats in the lineup, but the problem would be they lose a capable outfield backup. They could call up a minor leaguer to solve that issue.

2.) Call up a third catcher. This would enable the Angels to move Mike Napoli to the DH position and let Jeffrey Mathis start. While Mathis' bat is nothing to write home about, he is a much better defensive catcher then Napoli. With a team that prides itself on small ball, this could be an intriguing scenario.

3.) I could be completely off base with both of the previous points and they do something else. In Friday’s game against the Minnesota Twins, they started Maicer Izturis in the DH spot.

Personally, I’d go with Option No. 1 and get as many solid bats in the lineup as possible. But really, what do I know? I’m just a blogger.

What I do know is that this is a huge blow to the Angels.

For their fans' sake, let's hope they can keep afloat while he’s gone. If they do, then Vlad’s return winds up a pretty good midseason “pick up”. Me, personally, I hope they don’t as I can’t stand that damn rally monkey.