Paul Is Available to Work Weekend

Josh Paul’s thumb injury is not severe enough to sideline the reserve catcher for this weekend’s series against the Tigers, so the Angels will not have to make a roster move before tonight’s game.

General Manager Bill Stoneman said the soreness in Paul’s right thumb, which was struck by a ball thrown by Seattle shortstop Wilson Valdez as Paul broke up a double play Wednesday, had subsided Thursday and that Paul would be available tonight should Manager Mike Scioscia need to replace starter Jose Molina.

Bengie Molina, who is recovering from a strained right thigh muscle, is not expected to be activated from the disabled list until Monday at the earliest, leaving the Angels with two catchers, Jose Molina and Paul.

“He may not be 100%,” Stoneman said of Paul, “but he’ll be available.”

*

All that winter work Chone Figgins did with Florida Marlin leadoff batter Juan Pierre in an effort to improve his base-stealing ability appears to have paid off.

Figgins, who moved to the designated hitter spot when second baseman Adam Kennedy returned from knee surgery Monday, has 12 stolen bases in 14 attempts, tying him for the American League lead. Figgins stole 34 bases in 2004 and was thrown out 13 times.

*

The Angels will have a brief in-game tribute for Detroit closer Troy Percival tonight. Percival spent 10 years with the Angels (1995 to 2004) and had 316 saves before signing with the Tigers last winter.... Right-hander Ervin Santana, considered the top pitching prospect in the Angel organization, is 5-0 with a 2.10 earned-run average in his first five starts at double-A Arkansas.

*

ON DECK

Opponent -- Detroit Tigers, three games.

Site -- Angel Stadium.

TV -- Channel 9 tonight and Saturday, FSN West Sunday.

Radio -- 710, 1020.

Records -- Angels 17-11, Tigers 12-15.

2004 record vs. Tigers -- 7-2.

Tonight, 7 -- Kelvim Escobar (0-1, 2.77) vs. Wilfredo Ledezma (1-2, 6.55).

Saturday, 7 p.m. -- Bartolo Colon (4-2, 3.03) vs. Jeremy Bonderman (4-2, 3.92).

Sunday, 1 p.m. -- Jarrod Washburn (2-0, 2.72) vs. Mike Maroth (2-2, 4.46).

*

ANGELS TONIGHT

ANGELS’

KELVIM ESCOBAR

vs.

TIGERS’

WILFREDO LEDEZMA

*--* THE MATCHUPS 2005 2004 VS OPP TEAMS/PITCHERS W-L ERA TEAM W-L IP ERA Detroit/Ledezma (L) 1-2 6.55 1-3 -- -- -- ANGELS/Escobar (R) 0-1 2.77 1-1 1-0 5.2 4.76

*--*

Angel Stadium, 7

TV -- Channel 9. Radio -- 710, 1020.

Update -- Escobar is still looking for his first win in his third start of the season, but the right-hander, who sat out the first three weeks of the season because of an elbow sprain, has thrown the ball well, using his 95-mph fastball and a variety of breaking and off-speed pitches to strike out 14 in 13 innings. The Tiger offense received a boost when cleanup batter Dmitri Young returned Thursday after sitting out four games because of flu-like symptoms.

Tickets -- (714) 663-9000.

-- Mike DiGiovanna