Halo Headlines: Hawkins out 4-to-6 weeks, Weaver named AL Player of the Week, Walden and Frieri to share closer job until Downs returns

The May 8th, 2012 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim including Hawkins out 4-to-6 weeks, Jered Weaver named AL Player of the Week, Walden and Frieri to share closer job until Downs returns and much more…

The Story: LaTroy Hawkins is out 4-to-6 weeks with a fractured finger while Scott Downs is day-to-day with a knee contusion.

The Monkey Says: Just a terrible break for Hawk, but at least the Angels seem to have dodged a bullet with Downs, though it sounds like a DL stint is not yet out of the question for him.  With LaTroy hitting the DL, David Pauley was added to the active roster, but he isn’t likely to be anything more than a mop-up man at this point.

The Story: Jered Weaver has been named the AL Player of the Week.

The Monkey Says: He damned well should have.  I mean, I know his no-hitter came against the Twins, but it is still pretty impressive.

The Story: Jordan Walden and Ernesto Frieri will share the closer job until Scott Downs gets healthy.

The Monkey Says: I have to think it will mostly Frieri, though Walden did get called upon to bail out David Carpenter yesterday.  However, with Jordan spiking his slider several times in that outing, he clearly isn’t ready for primetime again just yet.  Interestingly, Jason Isringhausen isn’t factoring into the equation despite having all the experience.  Not that I am complaining because Izzy has looked lousy so far this season.  I’m just shocked Scioscia didn’t play the “veteran closer” card is all.

The Story: Angel Talk host Jason Brennan is up for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Man of the Year.

The Monkey Says: Donate if you can.  Also, all Brennan is going to be hosting an Angels game viewing party at Throwbacks this Sunday with appearances from all the top Angel blogs out there, including this one (via the phone, anyway).  Come one, come all!!!

The Story: Baseball Prospectus will be hosting a meet and great at Angel Stadium June 16th.

The Monkey Says: First off, if you don’t read Baseball Prospectus, you are a bad person.  Second, go to this because these guys are all great and it should be a lot of fun.  I’m actually really mad that I can’t attend.