Holzemer Out; Edmonds, Davis Return

Shortstop Gary DiSarcina was in the Jacobs Field training room during Sunday’s game against Cleveland, discussing Angel fortunes with strength coach Tom Wilson.

“I said, ‘You know, I don’t think any more bad things can happen to this team,’ ” said DiSarcina, who is nursing a strained left hamstring. “Two pitches later, [Mark] Holzemer grabs his arm . . . five minutes later he’s in the training room with me.”

Holzemer, who strained his left shoulder in the 11th inning Sunday, was put on the 15-day disabled list Monday, joining a list of recent casualties that includes DiSarcina, Tim Wallach, who has a bruised finger, and Mark Eichhorn, who has a sore shoulder.

But for the first time in weeks, an Angel loss was offset by a gain. Center fielder Jim Edmonds, out since May 26 because of groin and abdomen strains, was activated and started against the Royals. And designated hitter Chili Davis returned after having sat out six of the last seven games.

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The Angels have signed seven draftees, among them their second-round pick, Austin Peay shortstop Chuck Abbott, to minor league contracts. Also signing were Bethune-Cookman outfielder Theo Fefee, Massachusetts outfielder Nathan Murphy, Tampa University catcher Brian Ussery, Florida International second baseman Eduardo Ferrer, San Luis Obispo outfielder Robert Neal, and College of Sequoias pitcher Eric Plooy.

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How does closer Troy Percival get perked up in the bullpen? “Four cups of coffee before the game and three during it,” he said. . . . Relief pitcher Brad Pennington, who is eligible to return from the disabled list Wednesday, will probably make several minor league appearances to try mechanical changes Angel coaches have incorporated into his delivery.