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 base runners, 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.”

If Hollins, who is hitting .263 in eight games, continues to improve, the Angels will have a tough decision. Glaus, who is hitting .438 with two homers and an American League-leading 16 RBIs and is a better defensive player than Hollins, has played well enough to win the job, but Hollins has a guaranteed $2.4-million contract and has said he has no interest in a reserve role.

Hollins’ contract and recent shoulder surgery makes him virtually impossible to trade, and the Angels don’t need another designated hitter.

“I’ve always believed that there’s 30 teams out there--if you belong up here, you’ll find a team to play on,” Hollins said. “I expected Troy to have a big spring. The kid’s gonna be a heck of a player. All I can do is get healthy and keep playing.”

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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.

“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.”

Finley will make two more spring starts, but when asked if he’d be ready to pitch opening day, Collins said, “Don’t count on it. We need to make sure he has 100 to 110 pitches in him before he starts.” That means Tim Belcher or Ken Hill will start opening day against Cleveland April 6.

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Outfielder Darin Erstad was scratched from Sunday’s game because of the flu and will likely sit out today. Reserve third baseman Tim Unroe hit a three-run home run in the top of the ninth to give the Angels the come-from-behind victory. Glaus ended the game by making an over-the-shoulder running catch of a popup in foul territory with a runner on third. . . . 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 after the game.