Salmon Still Bothered by Forearm

Right fielder Tim Salmon sat out his second consecutive start because of strained muscles in his left forearm. It’s hoped three days off during the All-Star break will help it heal in time for Salmon to return to the lineup Thursday.

Manager Marcel Lachemann said he could have used Salmon, but only in an emergency.

Garret Anderson moved from left field, his usual position, to right field and Rex Hudler played left Sunday.

“I felt comfortable out there,” Anderson said of his first appearance in right field this season.

“Don’t get used to it,” Salmon joked as he dressed in the adjacent locker stall.

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Hudler, a utility player who has never broken that label, admires the way second baseman Randy Velarde has performed in his first chance to play every day.

“He broke the mold they put on him,” Hudler said. “I’m very impressed. He’s such a professional. He adds so much to our team. He can fill in at third base or shortstop. I’m not surprised by what he’s done. I know some people might be but they don’t see him day in and day out.”

Velarde, whose 21-game hitting streak ended Friday, has hit in 23 of 24 games.

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The Angels are said to be interested in making a deal with Florida for more pitching, although it’s uncertain how the firing of Marlin Manager Rene Lachemann on Sunday will affect the talks. . . . A first-inning double by Oakland’s Jason Giambi should have been ruled a home run. TV replays showed the ball hit a camera stand beyond the center-field fence and bounced back on the field. Both the fence and the stand are painted green, so it was difficult to tell at first look. . . . The Angels were 39-30 and tied for first place in the AL West at the All-Star break last year. They haven’t been last at the break since 1992 (35-52, 18 games out). . . . After the break, the Angels play four games at Seattle and three at Texas.