Salmon, Glaus Back in Lineup

The Angels looked more like themselves Friday against the Oakland Athletics.

Tim Salmon jogged to right field to begin the game after sitting out Thursday’s 3-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners because of a groin strain and Troy Glaus went to third base, the tightness in his left hamstring sufficiently improved to allow him to play again.

Of the regulars, only Adam Kennedy, on the disabled list because of a strained right hamstring, and backup Benji Gil, who has back spasms, could not play. Chone Figgins replaced Kennedy at second base Friday. Gil could be a defensive replacement this weekend.

Manager Mike Scioscia was quick to discount the notion that the long march to the Angels’ first World Series championship and a short off-season led to the many nagging bumps and bruises the team has suffered.

“I think it was a long season,” he said. “Mentally and physically, it was exhausting. There was a relationship to that and the injuries we had in the first couple of weeks in spring training. But some things have cropped up [more recently] that you’d never anticipate. We’ve had a couple of twinges, but I don’t think it’s the kind of stuff that’s limited our ballclub.”

*

Right-hander Aaron Sele, who had off-season shoulder surgery, gave up two runs and four hits with three strikeouts and three walks in 46 pitches in two innings in his second rehab start for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga on Friday against Inland Empire.

*

A longtime friend of Arturo Moreno, the self-made Phoenix millionaire who has emerged as a leading candidate to buy the Angels, on Friday described the suitor as an intensely private but friendly and energetic man who would make a perfect fit in Anaheim.

“The Angels are a winner and so is Arte,” said Jimmy Walker, president of the sports and entertainment division of Walker & Hebets, a Phoenix-based company that sells insurance to professional athletes and entertainers. “[Moreno] would keep the Angels very competitive because he only knows how to win. He strives for excellence in everything he does.”

Moreno, 56, who built what Forbes magazine has estimated at a $940-million fortune off the outdoor advertising business, could not be reached for comment. He is expected to meet with Commissioner Bud Selig as soon as this weekend to discuss a possible purchase.

*

Staff writer Ben Bolch contributed to this report.