ANAHEIM -- Angels second baseman Johnny Giavotella was back in the starting lineup for the first time in more than a month on Friday, batting ninth in the series opener against the Mariners at Angel Stadium.
Giavotella had been out since Aug. 20 with fourth nerve palsy, a condition that caused him to have double vision when he looked down or to his left. For several weeks, that meant he couldn't take batting practice or face live pitching.
Once his vision symptoms subsided, Giavotella started taking batting practice and went to Arizona last week to see live pitching in the Instructional League.