ANAHEIM -- No one said he had to return.
Though, if he didn't, he wouldn't be Darin Erstad.
As one of the Angels leaders, Erstad has been in and out of the clubhouse and on and off the field this year, hampered by a sore right ankle. Two bone spurs limited him to 27 games before he came back from the disabled list last week.
Since he's returned, the Angels have gone 5-1, sending a jolt of hope throughout the club. No one could speculate if Erstad's arrival has been a reason for the recent success, but everyone agreed that his determination to get back on the field gave the team an emotional boost.
"Ersty is a big part of not only what we do down on the field," manager Mike Scioscia said, "but in the clubhouse.
"For him to come back on an ankle that is going to need surgery is an incredible effort that I know these players rally around, and they respond to that. It's just Ersty's makeup."
Erstad's role has shrunk from being the everyday center fielder out of Spring Training to a defensive replacement at first base. Though, that doesn't reduce what the veteran means to his club.
On the field, he's a three-time Rawlings Gold Glove winner who is a vast improvement over rookie Howie Kendrick, who is playing the position for the first time. In his few innings of action, Erstad has already made two strong plays, one of which was the final out of the Angels' one-run victory on Monday.
Off the field, he's a team leader in the clubhouse. The gritty player made an emphatic speech in mid-May after teammates pointed fingers at each other for the team's struggles, urging the club to stay together.
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Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim : News : Los Angeles Angels News
Erstad's return is perfect timing
Erstad's return is perfect timing
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