Guerrero still not sold on DH role

TEMPE, Ariz. -- 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.

“No, no DH,” the Angels slugger said in February.

A week before opening day, Guerrero still isn’t keen on the idea.

“I said it when I got here -- I played seven years in the National League without a DH, and if I’m good enough to play the outfield, that’s where I want to play,” Guerrero said through an interpreter. “But I understand there’s a guy in that office who has to make a lineup, and I’m not going to fight it.”

The irony of Guerrero’s statement is it came before the Angels’ 8-2 exhibition win over Seattle on Sunday, the third straight game Guerrero sat out because of a sore right knee. If Guerrero had played Sunday, it would have been at DH.

Guerrero twisted the knee while avoiding Oakland reliever Keith Foulke’s knock-down pitch Wednesday. Guerrero hit Foulke’s next pitch for a grand slam.

Opponents have become almost brazen in their attempts to intimidate Guerrero, throwing more fastballs toward his head, and Guerrero refuses to back down. Or charge the mound.

“Even early in my career in Montreal, guys told me, ‘You have long arms, you should expect that,’ ” said Guerrero, who hopes to play today. “But it doesn’t intimidate me. I know it’s part of the game. Sometimes when they come up and in, it ignites me more.”

As Guerrero, 32, gets older, is it tougher to get out of the way?

“Experience helps me know which way to turn my head or which way to move, in or out,” Guerrero said. “But the ball is on top of you, and sometimes it’s going to hit you.”

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On the DL?

Scot Shields (inflamed forearm) insists he will be ready by opening day, but Scioscia hinted that the set-up man will probably open the season on the disabled list.

“The thing we’re going to guard against is seeing that opening day in Minnesota and having someone trying to do something they’re not ready for to meet that deadline, and setting them back.” Scioscia said. “We’re going to play close attention to Shields.”

Scioscia stressed to Shields the importance of not rushing his return. Shields, slowed by a sore shoulder early in camp, has thrown only four innings this spring.

“I think he’s going to be realistic,” Scioscia said. “He understands that four or five innings in Arizona might not be enough.”

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Trade deficit

If Shields is not ready, the Angels would open with two starters (John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar) and two relievers (Shields, Chris Bootcheck) on the DL, but don’t expect any trades to bolster the pitching staff.

“Right now, we’re comfortable we can fill our needs in-house, especially if they’re short-term needs,” Scioscia said. “Our depth is getting stretched . . . but not to the point of needing outside help.”

Nor would Shields’ loss push Scioscia to keep Dustin Moseley, who gave up six hits in five shutout innings Sunday, in the bullpen and open with Nick Adenhart in the rotation.

“We’re not going to keep Dustin in the bullpen because we need him in the bullpen,” Scioscia said. “If he’s one of the best five starters coming out of camp, then that’s the way we’re going to go.”

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Notes

Matthews hit a solo home run and a two-run single, Juan Rivera hit a three-run home run, and Jeff Mathis had three hits to lead a 16-hit attack Sunday. . . . Joe Saunders fought through “a little spring dead arm” to throw 6 1/3 innings in a triple-A game against the Chicago Cubs, giving up two earned runs and eight hits. The left-hander emerged with a blister on his left foot but said his arm felt fine. . . . Bootcheck will throw off a mound today for the first time since suffering a rib-cage strain March 2.

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mike.digiovanna@latimes.com

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