DaVanon May Open Things Up

In spring training, Jeff DaVanon won a roster spot because he could play all the outfield positions, pinch-run and contribute some power to a bench otherwise without any. After he hit .167 in 30 at-bats, the Angels sent him to the minor leagues to find his batting stroke. If and when the Angels recall him, he figures to fill the same major league role.

But DaVanon has played center field in each of his 10 games at triple-A Salt Lake City, abusing Pacific Coast League pitching in the process. Since a concussion has not stopped Angel center fielder Darin Erstad from diving for balls and slamming into walls, the Angels could consider preserving Erstad’s well-being while keeping his bat in the lineup by moving him to first base and putting DaVanon in center field.

“That option for this club is there,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “You want to have as many options as you can. But it’s not something we’re considering right now. We’re very pleased with the way we’re doing things right now, and Darin in center field is a big part of that.”

Scioscia said DaVanon would play the other outfield positions during his time with Salt Lake. DaVanon is hitting .400 with a .519 on-base percentage and an .875 slugging percentage. He hit his fourth home run Sunday in the Stingers’ 19-2 victory over Edmonton, a game in which designated hitter Robb Quinlan tied a franchise record by driving in eight runs.

Salt Lake pitcher Mickey Callaway, whose success as a starter would not preclude the Angels from calling him up to help in their bullpen if necessary, is 7-0 with a 1.47 earned-run average.

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Angel closer Troy Percival has been virtually untouchable since giving up a three-run homer to Oakland’s Greg Myers on April 21. In eight subsequent innings, all scoreless, he has given up two hits and struck out 14. He has posted two victories and four saves in that span, shrinking his ERA from 21.60 to 3.72.

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Whistle while you work: With the Angels having won 14 of their last 16 games, optimism is running rampant in the clubhouse--and in the front office too. The Rolling Stones will play Edison Field on Nov. 2 and as he announced the concert booking in a staff meeting last week, Kevin Uhlich, senior vice president for business operations, smiled broadly.

“It looks like we’re in for a busy fall,” Uhlich told front-office employees. “First the World Series, then the Stones.”

ON DECK

Opponent--Detroit Tigers, three games.

Site--Comerica Park, Detroit.

Today--4 p.m. PDT.

Radio--KPLS (830) today, KLAC (570) Wednesday and Thursday, XPRS (1090) all three games.

Records--Angels 20-16, Tigers 11-25.

Record vs. Tigers--2-1.

TODAY

ANGELS’

KEVIN APPIER

(3-1, 2.83 ERA)

vs.

TIGERS’

NATE CORNEJO

(1-3, 5.10 ERA)

Update--The Tigers have lost five consecutive games and fallen into a tie with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for the worst record in the league. Appier and Cornejo were pitching opponents last week in Anaheim, each going seven innings and leaving with the score tied, 2-2. The Angels won that game in the ninth, on a home run by Troy Glaus.

Wednesday, 4 p.m.--Aaron Sele (3-2, 5.75) vs. Mark Redman (0-4, 5.24).

Thursday, 4 p.m.--Scott Schoeneweis (2-4, 5.08) vs. Jeff Weaver (2-5, 3.33).