Percival Tries Some Patience

On the day after his second blown save in a week, Angel closer Troy Percival acknowledged that he has not yet regained full strength in his surgically repaired shoulder.

“When I get to 100%, I’ll let you know,” Percival said Wednesday. “Everyone has been in a hurry to declare me 100% because they see my velocity. Just because you’re popping 97 mph doesn’t mean everything is working right. I have good days and bad days.”

Tuesday was a bad day, with Percival and his 97 mph fastball giving up three runs and failing to get an out in the ninth inning of an 8-6 loss to the Kansas City Royals.

Wednesday was better, with Percival notching his 18th save, a mark that ranks second in the American League. However, his 4.73 earned-run average is the highest of any closer in the league except Ricky Bottalico of the Royals and Roberto Hernandez of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Percival has given up 31 hits and 17 walks in 27 innings, nearly two runners per inning.

However, he is seven months removed from shoulder surgery that generally requires eight months of rehabilitation.

“My numbers are getting worse, but my strength is getting better,” Percival said. “I’m not happy with what I’m doing. Don’t get me wrong. But I’m going through life after surgery.”

Percival said his velocity has improved almost 10 mph since spring training, and he is confident the ability to hit spots with his fastball--and curve--will soon follow. A starting pitcher struggling with his command can work out the problems between starts, but Percival cannot throw before a game because the Angels never know when they might need him.

“Troy is one of the premier closers,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “Everybody will hit a bump in the road. Troy is going to be there in the end. He’s a big part of why we consider ourselves a championship-caliber ballclub.”

*

Jason Dickson missed last season after surgery for a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Now the labrum is fraying, putting his status in question.

Dickson experienced shoulder discomfort while pitching for triple-A Edmonton and rehabilitating a sore hip. An MRI exam Wednesday revealed the tear. General Manager Bill Stoneman said Dickson would undergo therapy first in the hope that potentially season-ending surgery would not be necessary.

Meanwhile, Ken Hill will return to the starting rotation Wednesday. In three rehabilitation starts, Hill posted a 2.63 ERA over 13 2/3 innings.

Although he walked six in 5 2/3 innings for Edmonton Tuesday, and although he acknowledged he got a little tired toward the last of his 85 pitches, Scioscia said Hill displayed enough endurance to warrant a return to Anaheim. In the six days before his next start, Hill can work on his command.

“It’s not like you can say one more rehab start or two more rehab starts will solve it,” Scioscia said. “Sometimes, when pitchers get into the major league environment, they respond to the situation.”

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

TIM BELCHER

(1-0, 1.69 ERA)

vs.

ROYALS’

JAY WITASICK

(1-6, 6.19 ERA)

Edison Field, 7

TV--Fox Sports Net.

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

* Update--Belcher has done a lot in his 13-year career, including win a World Series ring with the 1988 Dodgers, but he never has beaten the Royals. He’s 0-7 with a 7.80 ERA against Kansas City.

* Tickets--(714) 663-9000.