BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Brooks Will Enter a Crucial Period

The final month of the season will be a crucial period for Hubie Brooks, who was recalled from a rehabilitation assignment and grounded out as a pinch-hitter Friday.

Brooks had been out since June 19 because of a strained neck. He drove in 23 runs in his first 29 games, but was batting only .213 with seven home runs and 30 RBIs when he was put on the disabled list. At 35, and with his contract up after this season, his future could depend on his performance in the upcoming weeks.

“There’s two ways to look at Hubie Brooks,” Manager Buck Rodgers said. “One, is can he still play baseball at the major league level? Number two is the physical part, his neck. One decision will be made by him and one will be made by us.”

Brooks, who batted .292 with one homer and 11 RBIs in eight games with triple-A Edmonton, said that while he hopes to play at least one more season, he isn’t pressuring himself to produce. “All I want to do is just play,” he said. “If I can go out there, that’s all the opportunity I need.”