Moises Alou returns

[The Big Train]

MLB.com
NEW YORK -- A key offensive threat is expected to be back in the Giants' lineup Monday for the start of a seven-game homestand -- veteran Moises Alou.
"It depends how I feel after the long flight ... and if they want to activate me," said the half-joking Alou, on the disabled list since May 6 with a severely sprained right ankle.

There's still swelling in the ankle, and while Alou said he's around 90 percent healed and may have to deal with a sore leg for the rest of the season, he's ready to play. Now.

"I'm feeling pretty good, since Florida," he said. "If you had asked me before, then I'd say I'd play in two weeks, but in Florida, it must have been the water. I can run, but will have trouble playing the outfield moving around."

No matter. Alou's big bat -- he was hitting .378 with seven homers and 25 RBIs -- was sorely missed. He leads the club with a .671 slugging percentage and a .455 batting average with runners in scoring position.

"He makes a big difference with those RBIs," said manager Felipe Alou. "I hope we have a nice, smooth flight."

Moises Alou was potent batting fifth behind Barry Bonds, and immediately following intentional walks to the slugger, Alou was 4-for-4 with nine RBIs.

"You get upset," said Alou of not playing. "You have to work all over again like Spring Training. Back to step No. 1. But I'm very excited, because I'm feeling real good now. It's swollen, but I think it's playable.

"I know we're going to be a lot better," he said of his return. "I don't want to take away anything from anybody, but with me in, we're a lot better team. I think whether I go 10-for-20 or 0-for-20, my presence means a lot."

[mak1277]

Do we think he's worth starting right away? I'm in an NL-only and I'd be benching Freddy Sanchez or Brandon Phillips to start Alou for the coming week.

[Ninjak]

Great news, he was owning before the injury. The Giants need more ammo around Barry.

[The Big Train]

San Francisco area newspapers saying that he'll be coming of the DL today, but he's not in the starting lineup according to Yahoo. Maybe a pinch hitting appearance tonight and starting tomorrow??

[baseball6791]

Supposedly he didn't get to work out and do some of the baserunning/fielding things they wanted him to do before they activated him yesterday in the bad weather in NY, so he did them today in SF and should be ready for tomorrow.

[mak1277]

Someone give me a hand...my league's week starts tomorrow...should I start Alou over any of the following:

Freddy Sanchez, Brandon Phillips, Jimmy Rollins?

[Amazinz]

Moises Alou (ankle) will return to action for the Giants on Tuesday.

Alou took batting practice, shagged fly balls, and ran the bases today. He won't go on a rehab assignment and Alou even admits it may take a week for him to get his timing back, so it'd be best to hold off on activating the outfielder.