Matthews misses game due to illness

Just when Gary Matthews Jr. showed signs of fully emerging from a season-long slump, the Angels outfielder was out of the starting lineup Tuesday against Tampa Bay because of what Manager Mike Scioscia described as an upset stomach.

Matthews, who collected a season-high four hits Monday night and is riding a seven-game hitting streak in which he has raised his average from .215 to .249, was examined by team physician Craig Milhouse. About 1 1/2 hours before the game, Matthews sat on a clubhouse sofa wearing a sweatshirt with the hood pulled over his head.

Asked how he was, Matthews said, “Fine. I don’t want to talk about it. But have a nice day, fellas.”

When Matthews entered the clubhouse earlier in the afternoon, he saw a lineup card that did not include his name and then stuck his head into Scioscia’s office, which was empty. The outfielder located the manager in a video room and had a brief discussion.

Scioscia said Matthews was having trouble keeping food down and required extra fluids for hydration.

Reggie Willits and Garret Anderson were the starting corner outfielders, with Vladimir Guerrero playing designated hitter.

Next stop, 300

When he was a rookie 10 years ago, Torii Hunter never targeted a specific number of home runs to hit in his career.

“I just wanted to hit a couple of home runs, maybe 100 -- if that,” he said.

But after slugging his 200th career home run Monday, a two-run blast against the Rays, Hunter allowed himself a little room to look ahead.

“If I played long enough, I could be [in the] 400 club,” Hunter said. “Other than that, my next stop is 300, and hopefully I can get that.”

Timing is everything

The date of Kelvim Escobar’s return from a shoulder tear could hinge on his role, Scioscia said.

If Escobar returns as a reliever, the right-hander could come back around the All-Star break. If he comes back as a starter, his return would be targeted for the end of next month, because he would need more time to build endurance.

Although Escobar recently said he had resigned himself to returning as a reliever, Scioscia said Escobar’s role would be determined by “how he maintains his stuff and what his stamina is” as he continues his recovery.

Taking his time

Reliever Chris Bootcheck said he wouldn’t try to rush back from the strained right forearm that landed him on the disabled list Monday like he did from the rib-cage injury that delayed his season debut for nearly a month.

“I’ll take my time and get it right and be able to come here and have the same expectation as before and pitch well,” said Bootcheck, who acknowledged that the command and endurance that had benefited him in 2007 during his first full year in the majors have been missing this season. Bootcheck is 0-1 with a 10.13 earned-run average in 10 games.

Short hops

Infielder Erick Aybar has progressed to hitting soft toss in his recovery from a dislocated right pinkie finger and could soon take batting practice. . . . Chone Figgins, recovering from a strained right hamstring, went 0 for 2 with two walks and played seven innings at third base in his second rehab game with triple-A Salt Lake. Scioscia said that Figgins could rejoin the Angels as soon as Friday, when they open a series against the Atlanta Braves.

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ben.bolch@latimes.com