BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Wathan Isn’t Only Booster for Gonzales

When Angel interim Manager John Wathan called infielder Rene Gonzales a potential All-Star, it wasn’t the first time Gonzales heard the suggestion.

“I was talking to Brady (Anderson) and I said, ‘Dude, you may to go the All-Star game.’ He said, ‘We could both be there.’ That would be the greatest,” said Gonzales, who trained with Anderson last winter in sessions the Oriole outfielder credits for his current success. “I dream of it. . . . It’s fun to think about.”

Gonzales and pitcher Mark Langston are probably the top candidates to represent the Angels July 14 in San Diego. Gonzales has a .281 batting average, second among the Angels’ regulars, and a team-high 12 doubles. He also leads the Angels in positions played, after playing all four infield spots.

Versatility is both a blessing and a curse for Gonzales. Being able to play almost anywhere means he can’t settle in at a single position, but that might enhance his All-Star hopes as an infield reserve.

“He probably feels he’d like to shake the ‘utility’ tag, but it’s out of necessity we’ve moved him around,” Wathan said. “The way he’s hitting, you’d like to leave him in one spot, but we just haven’t been able to. . . . When I moved him to third a couple of times and put (Luis) Sojo at second, he felt he’d won the second base job and was wondering why I moved him. I just told him I had more confidence moving him around.”

Bryan Harvey pitched a hitless eighth inning in his first appearance since being activated from the disabled list. . . . Edmonton right fielder Tim Salmon is leading the Pacific Coast League with a .381 batting average, 14 home runs and 70 RBIs.