It Might as Well Be Spring for Returnees

While the Angels struggle to get into the American League West race, a portion of their starting lineup is going through what seems like a second spring training.

Shortstop Gary DiSarcina, back since June 22, is only now beginning to feel comfortable. Right fielder Tim Salmon, back since Saturday, has had a few missed opportunities at the plate.

“It’s frustrating, no question,” said Salmon, who missed 62 games after suffering a sprained left wrist trying to make a sliding catch on May 3. “You get in a situation where you can drive in runs and, in my mind, those are my runs.”

Salmon, who returned to right field Monday, was hitless in seven at-bats as a designated hitter his first two games back. He walked three times Sunday but struck out with a runner on third in the fifth inning and flew out with a runner on second in the ninth.

Salmon made only one rehabilitation start, getting three hits for Class-A Lake Elsinore on Friday.

DiSarcina, out since before spring training began because of a broken bone in his left forearm, spent two weeks on a rehab assignment. Batting .239, he has driven in only nine runs.

“The hardest thing for me is getting my timing back,” DiSarcina said. “Inevitably, you start looking at what you did in the past. You feel you should be picking up where you left off last season.

“You come up with a runner on third and you’re confident you can hit a line drive to right. Then you hit a ground ball to third base. Instead of adding a run or changing the momentum, you’re the third out. It shifts the momentum back to the other team. It can hurt your confidence.”

The same struggles await Jim Edmonds, who is expected to return from shoulder surgery in August.

“It’s going to take a while for me to be the same hitter I was, “ Edmonds said.

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The Angels activated pitcher Ken Hill before Monday’s game and optioned shortstop Andy Sheets to triple-A Edmonton.

Sheets, acquired on March 29 from the San Diego Padres, started 58 games at at shortstop while DiSarcina was on the disabled list. Sheets was batting .205, but was hitless since June 9, a span of 21 at-bats.

His playing time was significantly reduced when DiSarcina returned and Manager Terry Collins said he needed to carry 12 pitchers.

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After a few false starts, the San Diego Padres’ Tony Gwynn returned to the lineup Monday. He was put on the disabled list June 24 because of a strained left calfand was a late scratch four times in the last two weeks. This time, he made it to the game.

“I’m not expecting to have a big night,” said Gwynn, who was the designated hitter and batted fourth. “I just want to get up there and have a chance.”

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ CHUCK FINLEY (5-9, 5.89 ERA)

vs.

PADRES’ ANDY ASHBY (8-4, 3.13 ERA)

Edison Field, 1 p.m.

Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090).

* Tickets--(714) 663-9000.

* Update--Finley has given up 32 earned runs in his last 22 innings. He gave up six runs in five innings against Colorado in his last start, but was the winner in a 9-6 Angel victory. Ashby didn’t allow a run through seven innings in his last start but received a no-decision in a 3-2 Padre victory.