Minors a Positive Experience for Abbott

There was a Vancouver Canadian cap stashed away in Jim Abbott’s locker. Teammates clustered all around, listening to Abbott’s tales of life in the minor leagues.

Pitchers Mike James, Troy Percival, Robert Ellis and Jason Dickson hung on Abbott’s every word. They had been in the minors before, but Abbott was back from his first stint.

“I enjoyed it,” Abbott told reporters later. “I tried to go down there with a new attitude. It was a chance to get a different view on baseball. That was a positive change.”

Abbott was 0-2 with one complete game and a 3.41 earned-run average in four starts for triple-A Vancouver.

“I think I made strides. We’ll see. I pitched some pretty decent games down there. I feel better for the experience,” Abbott said.

*

There will be no outfield rotation like the last time Darin Erstad was with the Angels, interim Manager Joe Maddon said. Garret Anderson, Jim Edmonds and Tim Salmon will continue as the starters.

Maddon said he will try to get Erstad, who batted .305 in 85 games with Vancouver, as much playing time as possible, but not at the expense of the others.

*

Reliever Mike Holtz left the team to attend his grandfather’s funeral in Pennsylvania.