Scioscia Hopes Players Won’t Get Out of Shape

With the Angels looking to secure a playoff berth for the first time since 1986, Manager Mike Scioscia is holding out hope that his players would conduct voluntary workouts among themselves during a strike, which could start on Aug. 30.

“If it does happen, obviously they’re on their own,” he said. “The players would be going on strike for a reason and I think it would behoove them to obviously stay in as close to shape as they can because as we experienced in 1985, I think it was a one-day or two-day [strike], that’s one thing. But if you’re going to be out two weeks, that’s another thing.”

The Dodger catcher during the 1985 work stoppage, Scioscia said a core group of his teammates stuck around during the brief layoff to stay sharp, a move that was not advised by team management. Scioscia said he wasn’t sure if he was permitted to advise the Angels to work out in anticipation of a strike settlement.

“It’s up to the individual feelings of every player,” Scioscia said. “Certainly there would be a sentiment to say, ‘We’re on strike for a reason.’ Then there’s a sentiment that says, ‘We want to keep going.’ Our club, I think, we have guys that will keep themselves going, but it won’t be addressed by my standpoint because it’s a personal choice of a labor issue.”

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Starting his second consecutive game after coming off the bench for two because of a fatigued right leg, Darin Erstad said he’s not concerned, because it irritates him every year.

“Not one bit,” he said. “It’s just part of the grind of the season.

“It’s from all the diving around. I hit the turf somewhat hard in Toronto [last week] and it just sends everything kind of out of kilter and you need it realigned. That’s the way it goes sometimes.”

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Tim Salmon sat out his sixth consecutive game because of a sore left hand after being hit by a pitch Aug. 10. Salmon did not swing a bat Saturday and is still trying to regain grip strength.

“It didn’t feel worse today,” he said, “so that’s a good sign. Maybe a more realistic target is to [play] on the road this week.”

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Left-handed reliever Scott Schoeneweis was available Saturday night after a stiff back precluded him from being called on Friday night.... Fellow left-handed reliever Dennis Cook threw off a mound for the first time since going on the disabled list with a torn rotator cuff July 13.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

KEVIN APPIER

(10-9, 4.09 ERA)

vs.

INDIANS’

C.C. SABATHIA

(8-9, 5.24 ERA)

Edison Field, 5

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

Update--Appier is 12-11 with a 3.97 earned-run average in 28 career starts against Cleveland. The left-handed Sabathia is mired in a sophomore jinx after going 17-5 with a 4.39 ERA and being named the American League rookie pitcher of the year.

Tickets--(714) 940-2000.