It’s No Act for Erstad to Turn White as Ghost

There is nothing wrong with your television set. Yes, Darin Erstad warns you, he really is that pale.

Erstad is a star in one of the Angels’ new television commercials, coming soon to Southern California. In the ad, part of a humorous campaign designed to showcase the players, Erstad is shown hustling to a Laundromat between games of a doubleheader, rushing to take off his dirty uniform and toss it into the washing machine.

“They had me strip down to my sliding shorts,” Erstad said. “There’s a lot of my body showing. I don’t have much of a tan [being] from North Dakota.”

In another spot, Tim Salmon, Troy Glaus and Garret Anderson help a kid struggling to hit off a tee. A third ad highlights the starting rotation, with Manager Mike Scioscia playing in a card game and saying, “I’ve got five aces.”

The campaign also includes a spot filmed in English and Spanish, with Bengie Molina helping a child swing away and break open a pinata and Benji Gil collecting the falling candy.

Erstad said the Angels need not worry about him abandoning baseball for a career in Hollywood.

“I debuted my acting career and retired all in one day,” he said.

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For the first time in Jeff DaVanon’s eight-year pro career, he came to spring training with a chance to win a major league job. That chance is fading with each passing day, however, since DaVanon has been unable to play. The outfielder strained his left hamstring in December, while playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic, and the injury has been slow to heal.

“I just can’t think about it, or it would drive me crazy,” DaVanon said.

DaVanon was expected to compete with Clay Bellinger and Jose Nieves for a bench job. The Angels are uncertain when DaVanon will be able to play, but for now Scioscia insists it is too soon to rule out his chances of making the team.

“I don’t think we’re at that point yet,” Scioscia said. “It will become a concern if it lingers.”

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The Angels fielded what could be their opening day lineup--in 2003--for Tuesday’s 6-3 Cactus League victory over the San Francisco Giants. Alfredo Amezaga, whose speed and defense dazzle the Angels, played shortstop, with David Eckstein moving to second.

The Angels plan to start the season with Eckstein at shortstop and Adam Kennedy at second, but if Amezaga, 24, forces the issue by hitting well at triple A--he hit .250 there last year--the team might not wait until next year to promote him.

Scott Schoeneweis, whose sinkerball produces plenty of ground balls, would become a better pitcher with Amezaga at shortstop.

“We’re not pinning our hopes to win on Alfredo Amezaga having to step up and be this superstar shortstop,” Scioscia said. “He’s going to step up on his own time.”

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Schoeneweis pitched two scoreless innings, but Aaron Sele, scheduled to throw two innings and 30 pitches, threw 43 pitches before the Angels removed him with one out in the second inning. He faced 10 batters, giving up two runs, two walks and four hits.... With his spot in the starting rotation secure, Schoeneweis vowed to use the spring to master a changeup he sometimes would not throw last season. “I have to prove I’m a much better pitcher than what I’ve shown,” he said, “and do those things I need to do to not be a .500 pitcher with a 5.00 [earned-run average] ERA for the rest of my career.”