It Might Be Time for a Backup Plan

KANSAS CITY — Benji Gil is expected to rejoin the Angels in the next several days, raising the question of whether the team ought to carry Gil and Jose Nieves as backup infielders.

“If we wanted to trade one of them, we could,” General Manager Bill Stoneman said.

The Florida Marlins, in search of a utility infielder, reportedly inquired about Gil before signing Homer Bush, who was released by the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Angels would consider trading Gil or Nieves for a left-handed reliever, but they’re not convinced another team would part with anyone better than Mark Lukasiewicz, now at triple-A Salt Lake.

The Angels believe that Nieves, hitting .290 and making an affordable $240,000, would be claimed on waivers should they try to send him to Salt Lake.

Rookie Alfredo Amezaga is likely to return to Salt Lake when Gil rejoins the Angels from his rehabilitation assignment there.

Utilityman Shawn Wooten started his rehabilitation assignment with Salt Lake on Tuesday. When he returns, the Angels might try to send outfielder Julio Ramirez through waivers.

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David Eckstein, who has not played defensively since suffering a sprained left knee nine days ago, is expected to serve as the designated hitter tonight and play shortstop during some--but not all--of the series against Minnesota, four games on artificial turf.

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Bobby Jenks, armed with a 100-mph fastball and ranked as the team’s top pitching prospect, was among three minor league pitchers suspended for seven games by the Angels. After an undisclosed off-field incident on the road, Jenks and two double-A Arkansas teammates were suspended for violating an organizational rule. Stoneman said none of the players were arrested or otherwise in legal trouble, and a team source said the incident simply reflected immaturity.

“It’s something we consider very serious,” Stoneman said. “The game isn’t just played on the field. There’s a lot more to it than playing the game for three hours.”

Jenks, 21, is 3-6 with a 4.66 earned-run average. He leads the Texas League in walks and ranks second in strikeouts.