Salmon’s Injury Remains a Hurdle

Growing more frustrated by his sore left hand and questions about it and his return to the field, Tim Salmon sat out Sunday, making it the seventh consecutive game he has missed.

“It doesn’t hurt any worse so that’s a good sign, I guess,” Salmon said. “I’m still just doing grip-strengthening exercises.”

Salmon, who was hit by a pitch on the bottom of the hand Aug. 10, has not taken full-scale batting practice since, although he hopes to take some cuts Tuesday at New York.

“Unless he really picks it up, he’s still doubtful [to play Tuesday],” said Angel Manager Mike Scioscia. “We’re still looking day-to-day, so hopefully we’ll know something soon.”

Salmon will be examined further this week by team medical director Lewis Yocum.

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Fan backlash? What fan backlash? In the three-game weekend series against Cleveland at Edison Field after the players’ union established an Aug. 30 strike date, the Angels averaged 40,760 in the 45,030-capacity stadium, including 6,080 walk-up customers Saturday.

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Left-handed relief pitcher Terry Mulholland says he has no hard feelings toward the Dodgers after being traded from a playoff contender to the rebuilding Indians on July 28. Besides, Mulholland said, he wasn’t pitching enough, or up to the Dodgers’ or his standards.

“If I was 30 years old and right in the middle of my career and had the opportunity to go to the World Series, [being traded] would be frustrating,” said Mulholland, playing with his ninth team in 16 years.

“I’ve been to two World Series--I haven’t won one yet--but I’ve learned in this game that if you sit around and feel sorry for yourself, feel frustrated about the situation you’ve been placed in, you’re going to flounder in that situation longer than you need to.

“The big picture was that the Dodgers came first and Terry Mulholland came second, and I always accepted that. I regret that I wasn’t able to contribute more.”

Mulholland, 39, had a 7.31 earned-run average in 21 appearances for the Dodgers. With Cleveland, he is 1-0 with a 4.97 ERA in seven games and has taken on the role of mentor.

“The thing that’s kind of nice is that there are a whole lot of young guys here, a lot of young pitchers that are real receptive to wanting to learn things, asking for help,” Mulholland said. “I had the same thing in L.A. with the Dodgers, but we didn’t have as many young guys and it was more about winning games and not just learning the game.

“You’re looking at two different situations. The Dodgers are battling for a playoff spot and the main concentration is to win every game ... whereas these guys here, it’s an organization in transition. They haven’t lost the competitiveness, it’s just that they have a few less horses to compete with now.”