Vaughn’s Biceps Injury Thought to Be Minor

Mo Vaughn left Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Tigers after six innings because of an injury to his biceps, according to Manager Mike Scioscia.

Scioscia termed the injury “a cramp or a knot” and expected Vaughn to be available Friday, when the Angels open a three-game series at Cleveland.

“He’s been taking a lot of extra [batting practice],” Scioscia said. “Maybe there’s a little overuse there in trying to find his swing. Hopefully, he’ll be ready to go on Friday.”

Vaughn, usually one of the last to leave the clubhouse, was not available for comment.

A career .301 hitter, Vaughn’s average slipped to .287 after three hitless at-bats against Brian Moehler. He is three for 29 in nine games, including an 0-for-9 streak.

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Ken Hill, who gave up five runs in six innings, threw 109 pitches. He continues to be discouraged by his inability to put away hitters early in counts.

“Tons of pitches,” Hill said with a sigh. “I got ahead of a few hitters, but they did what they needed to do.”

Catcher Matt Walbeck said Hill appears to have temporarily lost the ability to finish hitters with his fastball.

“He’s not throwing as hard as he usually does,” Walbeck said. “His fastball, he can’t throw it by anybody right now.

“He really has to pitch. His margin for error when he’s behind in the count is very small. Velocity is a lot for him. If he’s up in the zone, he’s got to have it up in velocity to get it by guys.”

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Angel reliever Al Levine said Wednesday that he expects to come off the disabled list Aug. 15, when he is eligible.

“I’ll be back in 15 days,” said Levine, diagnosed Tuesday night with tendinitis in his right elbow. “I needed four to six days. I couldn’t do that to the bullpen. We can’t go short like that.”

Levine had 41 appearances in 107 games, a pace for a career-high 62 appearances, until his elbow became sore. An MRI exam showed no structural damage, including chips or spurs, Levine said.

“I was scared,” he said.

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Triple-A Edmonton Manager Garry Templeton summoned Matt Wise to his office Tuesday, and told him he wouldn’t make his start that night because he was going to the big leagues.

Wise asked politely if Templeton were kidding.

“Get out of the office,” Templeton said, “before they change their minds.”

Wise arrived to cover the relief role filled primarily by Levine. That is, filling the innings between the starter and setup man. He had not had a relief appearance in four professional seasons, then threw two shutout innings in relief of Hill.

“I’m just going to try to learn as much as I can as soon as I can,” Wise said.

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The starting rotation at double-A Erie on opening day last season consisted of Wise, Seth Etherton, Brian Cooper, Ramon Ortiz and Mark Harriger.

The first three are in the big leagues, and the fourth has been and will be again soon. Harriger, a promising right-hander, had Tommy John surgery.

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The Angels have made an offer worth about $1.45 million to Auburn right-hander Chris Bootcheck, their second selection in the June draft and the 20th overall.

In the draft, Bootcheck fell between left-hander Sean Burnett, who received a signing bonus of $1.65 million from Pittsburgh, and right-hander Boof Bonser, who signed with San Francisco for $1.245 million.

Bootcheck could return to Auburn for his senior season; the fall semester begins Aug. 21.

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Ron Gant did not start Wednesday’s game, and grounded into a fielder’s choice as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning.

Gant, acquired in a trade with the Phillies on Sunday, is hitless in eight at-bats as an Angel.