Hollins Realizes He’s Battling for Job

Had this been a normal spring training, where all he had to do was get in shape and find his batting stroke, Dave Hollins might have spent the weekend getting treatment on his sore hamstring and resting until it was 100%.

But a normal spring, this isn’t. The 32-year-old switch-hitter is trying to fend off youngster Troy Glaus for the third-base job, so Hollins played Saturday and Sunday even though it’s obvious he’s not at full strength.

“I had to test it,” said Hollins, who sat out five days last week because of the injury. “It’s getting late. We only have 10 days left.”

Hollins, who had rotator cuff surgery last August, fielded his position flawlessly, starting double plays in both games, and he doubled and scored from second on Todd Greene’s single in Sunday’s 7-6 exhibition victory over the Oakland Athletics in Phoenix.

But Hollins, one of baseball’s most aggressive baserunners, hobbled into second on his double and ran gingerly home on Greene’s hit.

“Dave is well aware of what is going on--that’s why he’s out there,” Manager Terry Collins said. “He’s not 100%, no question, but he needs some at-bats.”

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Chuck Finley made significant strides Sunday, giving up one run and three hits, striking out three and walking none in a three-inning, 51-pitch stint against Oakland. It was Finley’s second start of the spring after making 24 pitches in his first outing.

“I feel so far advanced from where I’d normally be after my second start,” said Finley, who was set back two weeks by upper back spasms. “I threw all my pitches for strikes. Everything seems to be coming around.”

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Outfielder Darin Erstad was scratched from Sunday’s game because of flu. Center fielder Jim Edmonds remains day-to-day because of a groin injury. . . . The Angels sent pitchers Joe Jacobsen, Ryan Hawblitzel and Darrin Winston to minor league camp.