Angels morning spring report: Napoli to catch on Friday

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Mike Napoli, limited all spring to a designated-hitter role while he recovered from shoulder surgery, will make his first exhibition start behind the plate on Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Tucson.

"He has one more workout today," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "If he comes out of it OK, he'll catch Friday."

If Napoli is ready to catch by the season opener, it could be a huge boost to the Angels' offense. Jeff Mathis is a solid defensive catcher, but he can't provide the kind of power that Napoli, who hit 20 homers in 78 games last season, does.

The Angels are hosting the Colorado Rockies today, with Angels right-hander Jered Weaver opposing Rockies right-hander Jason Marquis.

The Angels lineup:

3B  Chone Figgins
2B  Howie Kendrick
LF  Bobby Abreu
RF  Vladimir Guerrero
CF  Torii Hunter
1B  Kendry Morales
DH  Juan Rivera
C   Jeff Mathis
SS  Erick Aybar

-- Mike DiGiovanna