BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Rodgers Expects Nerves

Buck Rodgers said he expects to feel nervous “probably for about the first 15 minutes” after he gets to Anaheim Stadium today to prepare for his return to managing.

“It’ll feel strange for a little while,” he said, “but the game will take care of that and I’ll get into the flow.”

Rodgers, who suffered a shattered right elbow, fractured left kneecap, broken right wrist and broken ribs in the team’s May 21 bus accident, had put off his return to the dugout until he could walk unaided. He discarded his cane about a week ago.

The timing of his return is just right for him to assess the youngsters recently called up and see others who might be recalled after rosters expand Sept. 1.

“These last six weeks will be similar to last year, when I took over (for fired Manager Doug Rader),” Rodgers said. “Except this year, there’s the expansion draft and all those things we’ve got to consider. Obviously we went out (and started this season) with a lot of veterans, like (Lance) Parrish, (Gary) Gaetti and (Hubie) Brooks and right down the line, and they’re not with us any more. We may have to see what we can spot buy as free agents, but first we’ve got to see what we’ve got. Is Tim Salmon our right fielder? What about Damion Easley? And there’s a couple of young pitchers we want to see.”

Rodgers’ return is unlikely to be marked with a fuss or ceremony, according to Tim Mead, the Angels’ director of media relations, because Rodgers has been to Anaheim Stadium several times as a spectator and has been recognized on the stadium’s message board.

However, he won’t be ignored. It’s likely he’ll bring out the lineup card and will be on the field before the game for fans to welcome him back.

Third baseman Rene Gonzales, who sustained a fractured left arm when he was hit by a pitch Aug. 11, said his arm will be re-examined during this home stand. He hopes to have the cast removed soon. “I hope so. I’m going crazy,” he said. . . . Luis Sojo, not known for his speed, is tied for second on the Angels with three triples. He had only one in 146 games before this season. . . . Lee Stevens, who’s 10 for 25 in August, is hitting .214, his highest point since May 24, when he was hitting .218 . . . . With 65 runs batted in, Junior Felix has matched his career high, set in 1990 with Toronto.