BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Anderson, Fabregas Getting Comfortable

The subject was the comfort zone, that spot where ballplayers feel an added sense of confidence that leads to standout performances. Manager Marcel Lachemann said he has noticed Garret Anderson and Jorge Fabregas at last slipping into the comfort zone this season.

“Confidence is one of the biggest things,” Lachemann said. “You always have confidence, but I think we all need to be sure we can do the job.”

Anderson has benefited from playing in one of the top outfields in the majors. There is a bit of peer pressure out there, according to Lachemann.

“I think they want to be the best outfield in the big leagues,” he said. “Not just one guy, but as a group they want to be the best outfield in the big leagues.”

The addition of veteran catcher Don Slaught, acquired for cash from Cincinnati during spring training, has helped Fabregas better handle the Angel staff.

“I think they talk about things,” Lachemann said, adding that didn’t always happen with Fabregas and Greg Myers last season.

“And the pitchers have done an even better job of sitting down with [Fabregas]. I think he feels more comfortable offering the pitchers a suggestion than he did last year.”

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Closer Lee Smith, still grumbling about being on the disabled list because of swelling on his surgically-repaired right knee, had his most taxing workout so far Monday.

He has yet to perform fielding drills, however, and Lachemann remains unsure when the all-time saves leader will be activated.

Lachemann said he prefers to move slowly rather than rush Smith back. Troy Percival has seven saves and nine scoreless innings while filling in for Smith, which has enabled Lachemann to proceed with caution.

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Chuck Finley moved into a tie with Mike Witt for first on the Angels’ all-time list with 314 games pitched. . . . Reliever Bryan Harvey will continue his rehab at Class-A Lake Elsinore when the Angels leave today for a nine-game trip to Milwaukee, Chicago and Oakland. . . . Detroit’s Alan Trammell singled in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to 10 consecutive games. . . . The Angels were 8-2 in one-run games, including 6-0 at home, going into Monday.