OC Register: Angels Notes: Brandon Phillips has a front-row seat for shortstop history

[AngelsWin.com]

OAKLAND — Omar Vizquel and Andrelton Simmons are two of the best defensive shortstops in baseball history.

The link between them is Brandon Phillips.

The Angels’ new second baseman first reached the majors in 2002 as a 21-year-old with the Cleveland Indians. Phillips was in the big leagues over parts of three seasons with the Indians, most of the time playing across the bag from Vizquel.

Now 36, Phillips is getting the chance to play with Simmons, who he has admired from across the field for years.

“It’s nice to play next to that filthiness,” Phillips said.

How does Vizquel, an 11-time Gold Glove winner who is in the Hall of Fame discussion on his defense alone, compare with Simmons?

“They are different,” Phillips said. “Omar was very fundamental. He made the plays. He did everything just perfect. Simba, I just started, he has a lot of flair. He doesn’t do it on purpose. He has that little swag to him. It’s normal. They’re both great, but they’re totally different.”

Phillips said he’s been happy to be back across the bag from the shortstop, after finishing his time with the Atlanta Braves playing third base.

“It’s like when you leave home and you’re ready to get back,” said Phillips, a four-time Gold Glove second baseman. “To get back, it’s like your first love. It feels good to go back to your first love and enjoy the time you have.”

Phillips made a couple defensive mistakes in his first two games with the Angels, taking too long to throw to first and missing a throw on a stolen base. He’s since been better, including a diving stop and a behind-the-back flip to start a double play on Monday.

At the plate, Phillips had just four hits in his first 21 at-bats with the Angels.

“People who watch the games know I’m hitting the ball hard, right at people,” he said. “It will be nice to have more success. I know I’m going to get more hits. I know I’m going to get key hits for this team. I know it’s going to happen.”

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The Angels are expecting to activate Bud Norris (knee) from the disabled list on Wednesday, Manager Mike Scioscia said. …

The Angels recalled Deolis Guerra, making him the 13th man in the bullpen. Norris will be the 14th. Guerra was a fixture in the Angels’ bullpen last year, but this year he had a 5.66 ERA in just 15 big league games. At Triple-A, he posted a 1.98 ERA, with 41 strikeouts and eight walks in 41 innings. “He really refined some stuff down there,” Scioscia said. …

In order to create spots on the 40-man roster for Guerra and Garrett Richards, who was activated from the 60-day disabled list to start, the Angels designated Mike Morin and Vicente Campos for assignment. Morin was once considered one of the Angels’ more promising relievers, but he gave up 11 runs and 21 hits in 14-1/3 major league innings this season. …

Matt Shoemaker (radial nerve surgery) is out for the rest of the regular season, but he said he’s still rehabbing just as he would earlier in the season, in case the Angels are playing deep into October. He said he’s scheduled to start throwing on Sept. 19. …

Cameron Maybin was selected as the Angels’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente award, even though he’s now on the Houston Astros. The award recognizes a player for his community service.

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