Angels’ Howie Kendrick takes lineup promotion in stride

Mike Scioscia wasn’t talking specifically about Howie Kendrick when he said, in response to a question about his latest lineup shuffle, that “no one has to do anything different” to adjust to a particular spot in the order. But he could have been.

Kendrick made the most dramatic jump in the lineup when Scioscia, in an effort to spark an offense that entered Saturday ranked last in the American League in on-base percentage (.310) and 10th in slugging percentage (.387), moved the second baseman from the seventh to the second spot Friday night.

Kendrick, who was batting .281 with two home runs, eight doubles and 17 runs batted in, hit second again Saturday night, and he singled in a run, stole a base and scored in the fifth inning. Scioscia said the new alignment will be “as permanent as a lineup can be when you’re struggling.”

A .306 hitter in his first three big league seasons, Kendrick opened the 2009 season in the second spot and was a top-of-the-order flop. He hit .196 (10 for 55) with 12 strikeouts and one walk in 12 games and was dropped to the eighth spot on April 23.

Kendrick’s struggles continued until June 11, when he and his .231 average were demoted to triple-A Salt Lake. He returned three weeks later with a new attitude and hit .351 from July 4 through the end of the season.

“I might have changed some things last year, but I was a different player then,” Kendrick said. “Now, I feel a lot more confident. I’m not going to apply any pressure because I’m at the top of the lineup. I won’t try to do too much.”

Kendrick said he didn’t feel any differently when he saw his name in the second spot Friday.

“I’m glad he believes I can hit at the top of the lineup, but for me, I feel I can hit anywhere,” Kendrick said. “Guys are going to make their pitches; it’s up to us to capitalize on their mistakes.

“I know a lot of guys have theories as to how hitting behind or in front of certain guys, you’ll see certain pitches. But nowadays, I think guys just try to pitch to your weaknesses.”

Vlad move?

The decision to let Vladimir Guerrero go as a free agent last winter and sign Hideki Matsui to be their designated hitter has not worked out favorably so far for the Angels, who will get their first regular-season look at Guerrero when they begin a two-game series in Texas on Monday.

Guerrero, an offensive force for most of his six years in Anaheim before injuries limited him to 100 games in 2009, is batting .338 with seven homers and 31 RBIs in 37 games with the Rangers. Matsui entered Saturday with a .236 average, five homers and 18 RBIs.

Did the Angels give up too soon on the 35-year-old Guerrero, who won AL most valuable player honors in 2004, his first year with the Angels? Scioscia said it’s too soon to tell.

“All along, we thought he was still going to hit,” Scioscia said. “At the time the decision was being made, Vlad was still in the hunt for a multiyear deal, and I think that had an impact on some of the things that were happening. He got a great opportunity with Texas.”

Guerrero signed a one-year, $6.5-million deal with the Rangers that includes a $9-million mutual option for 2011. Matsui, 35, signed with the Angels for one year and $6 million.

“Everyone felt Vlad still had some productive years in him,” Scioscia said. “How many? We’re not sure.”

mike.digiovanna@latimes.com