Napoli ends up on DL

The pain in Mike Napoli’s shoulder, which had bothered him all season, became so unbearable that the catcher was put on the 15-day disabled list after Sunday’s game.

Napoli, who is batting .204 with 12 home runs and 29 runs batted in, will undergo an MRI test today. Catcher Ryan Budde was recalled from triple-A Salt Lake and will join the Angels today.

“Something doesn’t feel right in there,” Napoli said. “I’ve had good days and bad days. Some days, it hurts every time I throw back to the pitcher.”

Napoli had been able to manage the pain with medication and treatment, but Saturday it was obvious when he bounced a throw past third base that his shoulder wasn’t right.

“It got to a point where it’s affecting him too much,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “He’s unable to do the things he needs to do.”

On call

The excitement of Joe Saunders’ first All-Star selection -- “It’s tough to describe,” he said. “It’s obviously a huge honor” -- was mixed with the anxiety of being an expectant father. Saunders’ wife, Shanel, is due to deliver the couple’s first child today.

“You’re kind of on edge, rushing to do things,” Saunders said. “She has [traveling secretary] Tom Taylor’s number, and you’re always thinking, ‘When is he going to come get me in the dugout?’ ”

Saunders traveled with the team to Texas on Sunday night and is scheduled to pitch against the Rangers on Tuesday, but he’ll be on the first flight back to Southern California once Shanel goes into labor.

“That’s going to be a long flight,” Saunders said. “I’ll be on the edge of my seat the whole time. I’ll tell the pilot to put the hammer down. No speed limit on that flight.”

Strange but true

Scioscia called it “an odd season” when Vladimir Guerrero isn’t on the All-Star team, but the slugger, whose string of eight consecutive All-Star selections came to an end Sunday, wasn’t too broken up.

“Other players were more deserving,” Guerrero, who is batting .283 with 14 homers and 47 RBIs, said through an interpreter. “I’m happy for them.”

Guerrero will still be a part of the festivities. As the 2007 home run derby champion, he has accepted an invitation to defend his title in the July 14 home run derby in Yankee Stadium.

Not so fast

Gary Matthews Jr., with a .239 average, seven homers and 34 RBIs, has already been mentioned in trade speculation as the player most expendable should the Angels look to acquire a bigger bat.

But Matthews’ agent, Scott Leventhal, has given no indication his client would waive his no-trade clause, even if Matthews were guaranteed a starting center field job, which he lost to Torii Hunter in Anaheim.

“We haven’t had any discussions about it,” Leventhal said. “His goal was to be part of a winner. He’s happy in Los Angeles and extremely happy to be part of a winning team.”

Second opinion

Kelvim Escobar, who suffered a setback last Monday in his rehabilitation from a shoulder tear, will travel to New York today to be examined by Dr. David Altchek, an orthopedist who works with the Mets.

Though an MRI test Wednesday showed no further deterioration, the right-hander was unable to complete 10 tosses without pain Friday. After meeting with Altchek, Escobar will decide whether to have surgery, which would sideline him until at least next July.

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mike.digiovanna@latimes.com