Surgery delayed for Angels’ Kendry Morales

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The surgery scheduled for Sunday to repair Kendry Morales’ fractured lower left leg has been delayed to allow the swelling in the area to subside, but Dr. Lewis Yocum, the Angels’ team orthopedist, said the first baseman could return this season.

‘I don’t think September is out of the question,’ Yocum said.

Yocum said surgery could be performed within the next week on Morales, who suffered a freak injury Saturday when he landed awkwardly at home plate on his celebratory leap following a walk-off home run in the 10th inning against Seattle.

Mike Napoli made his first major league start and appearance Sunday at first base, a position he had not played since the minor leagues. He was tested immediately, fielding Ichiro Suzuki’s grounder to start the game and outrunning the speedy leadoff hitter to first base.

General Manager Tony Reagins said the Angels would assess their options within the organization over the coming days while also exploring the possibility of adding a player via trade or free agency.

‘There are options out there, both internally and externally, and we’ll take a look at each of them,’ Reagins said. ‘It’s my job to go out and pursue every opportunity that’s out there that could potentially help us.’

One option that won’t be utilized is Mark Trumbo, a first baseman hitting .275 with 11 home runs and 40 runs batted in in 47 games for triple-A Salt Lake. Reagins said Trumbo ‘does need some more seasoning at triple A’ before coming to the major leagues.

-- Ben Bolch