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Los Angeles Angels' Kendry Morales Out For The Season

Adam BernacchioAnalyst IIIMay 12, 2011

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 29:  Kendry Morales #8 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts to his injury on his way to home plate after his grand slam homerun to win the game 5-1 over the Seattle Mariners during the bottom of the ninth inning at Angel Stadium on May 29, 2010 in Anaheim, California.  (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Harry How/Getty Images

Greetings, everyone, from Southern California! Sorry that there were no posts yesterday, but between working in my company’s Newport Beach office and dealing with the time change, I didn’t have much time to do anything.

I spent a grand total of maybe 30 hours so far in Orange County and I can already tell you this is the MILF capital of the United States. We went to dinner at Javier’s last night right outside of Laguna Beach in Crystal Cove and there were more blonds with plastic accessories there than at the Adult Video Awards.

While the place was filled with talent, the highlight of the evening was when Kobe Bryant walked into the restaurant. I felt bad for the guy, to be honest.

All he wanted to do was pick up some lobster enchiladas (fantastic, by the way) and he was swarmed by 20 people who wanted to take a picture with him. He was extremely nice to those people, but you could tell he didn’t want to be bothered.

On the subject of Southern California, what a big blow the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were dealt yesterday.

The Angels found out last night that 1B Kendry Morales is out for the season. He will need surgery on his left ankle to remove scar tissue. The recovery time is expected to be six months.

Who could believe that this all started for Morales after hitting a game-winning HR? During the HR celebration, Morales broke the same ankle, which has healed, but scar tissue has developed around the ankle that needs to be surgically repaired.

The Angels, who, believe it or not, are in first place in the American League West, will now have to go the rest of the season without Morales. Not having Morales for the entire season was most likely in the Angels’ "worst-case scenario" bucket at the beginning of the season.

The Angels will roll with Mark Trumbo at first from here on out.

Trumbo, who had a monster spring training, has been an adequate replacement for Morales so far. He is tied for the team lead in HRs with six and is on pace for a 26-HR season.

The Angels have done a good job so far absorbing the loss of Morales. However, the question is, can they do it for the course of a 162-game schedule? Without making a trade for more offense, I think they are going to be hard-pressed to do so.

The Angels have holes in their offense, starting rotation and bullpen. Nine times out of 10, a team with that many holes doesn’t have staying power.

Even if that team plays in a mediocre division.