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Angels tab top prospect Kendry Morales starter at 1B

After apparently growing weary of the Robb Quinlan/Dallas McPherson combo at first base, the Angels recalled Kendry Morales to take over the starting job. Morales, the highly-touted Cuban defector, had been hitting .307 with five home runs and 27 RBI over 153 at-bats with Triple-A Salt Lake before being promoted. In his first game with the Angels, he went 3-for-5 with a homer and two RBI while batting fifth in the order. Morales is obviously a pickup in all AL-only leagues, and certainly worth  thinking about in deeper mixed leagues, as well.

From the LA Times:

"No one has an endless rope," Scioscia said, "but he's going to get an opportunity."

If Morales struggles, the Angels will turn to the trade market, with Arizona first baseman Tony Clark considered a possible target.

Clark is an attractive short-term option because he is signed only through this season and, because he's stuck behind young first baseman Conor Jackson, wouldn't cost as much as some of the front-line players the Angels are pursuing, such as Alfonso Soriano and Shea Hillenbrand. Clark is batting .172 with three homers and 12 RBIs in 58 at-bats but hit .304 with 30 homers and 87 RBIs in 349 at-bats in 2005.

Morales Gets the First Call [Los Angeles Times]