Angels’ Aybar hurt in Dominican game
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Angel shortstop Erick Aybar left Thursday’s winter league game in the Dominican Republic in the sixth inning after apparently straining a muscle in his left leg trying to beat out an infield grounder.
Aybar’s Licey team, fighting for a playoff spot in the Dominican League’s four-team round robin, had just scored five runs en route to a 7-5 win over rival Escogido when Aybar, who had two hits already, grounded out to end the inning. TV replays showed Aybar appeared to feel discomfort in his leg about halfway up the line. And though he took the field in the top of the seventh, Licey Manager Jose Offerman sent a trainer out to get him. Aybar, who didn’t appear to be limping, went straight to the clubhouse and there was no immediate word on his condition.
Aybar plays every winter in his native Dominican but after batting a career-best .312 in a career-high 137 games for the Angels over the summer, he did not join Licey this season until Dec. 15. He is hitting .333 in the round robin, the second of three stages in the Dominican winter season.
-- Kevin Baxter