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White Sox-Angels Preview

May 25, 2009 - 4:42 AM By MATT BECKER STATS Senior Writer

Chicago (19-23) at Los Angeles (22-20), 9:05 p.m. EDT

Just when it appeared the Los Angeles Angels would be at full strength, another key player could be out.

In the opener of a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox on Monday, the Angels expect to have Vladimir Guerrero back in their lineup for the first time in nearly six weeks but could be without starting center fielder Torii Hunter.

Los Angeles (23-20) has been without Guerrero since April 15 after the eight-time All-Star tore a right pectoral muscle. Guerrero, who was batting .250 (8 of 32) with a homer and three RBIs in eight games, is expected to be the Angels' designated hitter in his first game off the disabled list.

A career .322 hitter, Guerrero batted .289 (11 for 38) with two homers, two doubles and five RBIs in nine games against the White Sox (19-24) last season and is 3 for 9 with a homer and a double versus Monday's starter, John Danks (3-3, 4.60 ERA).

"Vlad's one of the greatest hitters ever," Hunter told the Angels' official Web site. "That has to help you, getting a guy like that back in your lineup. He brings a presence few guys have."

While Guerrero is set to return, Hunter could miss the opener.

Hunter drove in three runs in Sunday's 10-7 win over the Dodgers - the Angels' fifth victory in seven games - but didn't finish the contest.

The eight-time Gold Glove winner and two-time All-Star had the wind knocked out of him after crashing into the fence catching a flyball in the fourth inning. Hunter, who leads the Angels with 10 home runs and 37 RBIs, stayed in the game but left in the seventh because of tightness in his right leg.

"I'm sure (Monday) it's going to be sore, so we'll just evaluate him and see how he is," Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia said.

Guerrero and Hunter aren't the only significant players on the Angels' roster to deal with injuries this year.

Los Angeles' top two starters - John Lackey and Ervin Santana (0-1, 3.09) - both missed the first six weeks of the season but have looked strong since returning.

Santana starts Monday after allowing one run and five hits in 6 2-3 innings of Wednesday's 1-0 loss to Seattle - his second outing after elbow issues delayed his season debut.

"He's getting comfortable on the mound," Scioscia said. "His stuff is good. He's working his way into some things."

Santana hasn't faced the White Sox since throwing three scoreless innings of relief in a 5-3 loss on Sept. 14, 2007. He's 2-1 with a 3.58 ERA in six games - five starts - lifetime versus Chicago.

The White Sox are coming off a disappointing 4-3 loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Chicago led 3-1 through seven innings until giving up a run in the eighth and two in the ninth for its first loss of the season when leading after eight.

The White Sox now try to bounce back on the road, where they've lost five straight and 10 of 11.

Danks has been tagged for 12 runs in 8 1-3 innings in losing both of his road starts this month.

On Wednesday, the left-hander gave up four runs and five hits while striking out seven in 5 2-3 innings of a 7-4 win over Minnesota for his first victory since April 22.

Danks has pitched well against the Angels but has yet to beat them. All three times he's faced them came last season and Chicago lost each time even though he had a 2.16 ERA in those games, going 0-1.

The White Sox and Angels split 10 meetings last season.