Areas of Concern Are Second Base, Pitching Rotation

Midway through the exhibition season, the Angels seem no closer to answering the most pressing questions they had going into spring training.

Their regulars--Mo Vaughn, Tim Salmon, Jim Edmonds, Garret Anderson, Darin Erstad, Troy Glaus, Gary DiSarcina--are healthy and hitting well, their bullpen is shaping up nicely, and Bengie Molina is emerging as a capable catcher. But there are growing concerns about the rotation and second base position.

Ken Hill, who was roughed up for four runs on seven hits in three innings of an 8-6 split-squad victory Tuesday over the San Francisco Giants in Scottsdale, Ariz., is set as the opening-day starter, but the race for the remaining four rotation spots is still wide open.

Veteran left-hander Kent Mercker and youngster Ramon Ortiz, barring health concerns--a mild case of biceps tendinitis could set him back a week to 10 days--likely will make the team.

But Jason Dickson (0-2, 12.46 earned-run average in two spring games) has struggled in his return from shoulder surgery, and Jarrod Washburn is out for several weeks because of a strained right rib-cage muscle.

That could open the door for 42-year-old knuckleballer Tom Candiotti, who has a 2.16 ERA in 8 1/3 spring innings, and young left-hander Scott Schoeneweis, who has a 1.29 ERA in seven innings.

Brian Cooper’s stock also shot up Tuesday when he gave up only one earned run on five hits in four innings of a 7-2 split-squad victory over the Giants in Tempe. Cooper was rocked for six runs on four hits in two innings of his first spring start against Milwaukee Thursday.

“I think I would have been snow-bound [headed to triple-A Edmonton] if I had another bad outing,” Cooper said. “I needed to show them I could pitch, because I’ve been erratic since I’ve been here. This was a big pick-me-up.”

The problem at second base is too many Angels have had trouble picking the ball up. Scott Spiezio is the best hitter of the bunch, but he has showed little range, not-so-sure hands and has made two errors in seven games.

Justin Baughman has regained his speed after missing last season because of a broken leg, but he looks rusty and shaky in the field, committing three errors in six games, and he was batting .143 until going three for five with a homer and two runs batted in Tuesday at Scottsdale.

“A player’s confidence is important,” Manager Mike Scioscia said, “and Justin’s confidence level is not where it needs to be.”

Pat Kelly has been slowed by a sore arm, Trent Durrington is batting .100 (one for 10), and Carlos Garcia is batting .000 (0 for 13). Jason Bates still has a shot, and Scioscia said Keith Luuloa, a six-year minor leaguer who has not spent a day in the big leagues, has played the best defense so far.

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Pitcher Derrick Turnbow, acquired in the winter Rule V draft, appears to have a very good chance of making the jump from the Class-A South Atlantic League to the big leagues. The Angels must carry the promising, hard-throwing right-hander on their 25-man roster or offer him back to the Phillies before they option him to the minor leagues, so his chances were decent to begin with. But Turnbow threw two more scoreless innings Tuesday and hasn’t give up a run in 5 2/3 innings, and he could win a bullpen spot on merit alone. . . . Anderson hit a three-run homer and Vaughn had a two-run double to highlight the Angels’ win in Tempe on Tuesday. Erstad, slowed by a sore shoulder, played the outfield for the first time this spring. . . . The Angels sent pitchers Elvin Nina, Scot Shields, Matt Wise and Steve Green, catchers Jason Dewey and Shawn Wooten and outfielder Elpidio Guzman to minor league camp Tuesday.