Shields Gets Audition as Starter

Scot Shields wouldn’t mind earning a spot in the Angel starting rotation with a string of strong performances over the last two months of the season. He also wouldn’t mind if the Angels acquired a marquee starter in the off-season to fill the void created by the release of ineffective veteran Kevin Appier.

“If there’s a big-name guy out there, go get him,” Shields said Saturday. “I’ll go back to the bullpen. I don’t mind that.”

Of course, that may not be an option with $12 million of the Angels’ 2004 payroll already committed to Appier. But Shields could alleviate the need for a pricey acquisition by excelling during an audition that begins today, when he assumes Appier’s spot in the rotation against the Toronto Blue Jays at Edison Field.

Shields, who has worked primarily as a long reliever this season, said he doesn’t have a preference to start or relieve next season.

“I just want to pitch,” said Shields, 2-1 with a 1.79 earned-run average in 80 2/3 innings. “Whatever role it is, whatever they want me to do, I’ll do it. It doesn’t matter to me.”

The right-hander has performed admirably in his two starts this season, going 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA while pitching into the sixth inning of each game. He gave up seven hits and two runs over 5 2/3 innings during his last start, a 7-1 loss to the Blue Jays on May 3.

Angel Manager Mike Scioscia said Shields is capable of throwing 80-90 pitches today after throwing a season-high 81 pitches Tuesday against the New York Yankees.

“Hopefully, he’ll have enough pitches to get deep enough into a game where we’re not using too many of our guys” out of the bullpen, Scioscia said. “He’s pitched himself into being a candidate [for the rotation], and we’ll see where it leads.”

*

Designated hitter Brad Fullmer returned to Edison Field on Saturday for the first time since suffering a season-ending knee injury and said he hopes the injury doesn’t deter teams -- including the Angels -- from trying to sign him during the off-season.

“I hope that this doesn’t change what anybody thought because I’ve never had any injury questions in the past,” said Fullmer, whose ruptured right knee landed him on the disabled list for the first time in his career. “In my mind, there’s no issue of health with me.”

Fullmer, who took a $2.75 million pay cut to remain with the Angels this season after attracting little interest in the free-agent market, batted .306 before suffering the injury June 26 while running out a ground ball.

Wearing a brace on his right leg and noticeably limping, Fullmer said he would be ready to return at full strength for spring training. He is scheduled to begin rehabilitation in two weeks, though he still cannot drive and his girlfriend had to bring him to the ballpark.

Fullmer acknowledged playing through pain in the knee for parts of the last two seasons because he felt he could still contribute.

“I didn’t let them know it was bothering me that bad because I wanted to keep playing and contributing,” he said. “I was still swinging the bat well and then it totally blew up. I knew something like that could happen because it was getting worse and worse. I’m spending an hour and a half getting worked on by the trainers just to go out and still feel bad.”

*

Scioscia gave Bengie Molina a day off to recuperate after pitches in the dirt Friday bounced and hit the catcher in the left shoulder and groin. Jose Molina started in place of his brother.... Scioscia listed triple-A pitchers Kevin Gregg, Chris Bootcheck, Matt Hensley and Brandon Emanuel as the primary candidates to make a spot start for the Angels next Saturday during a doubleheader against Cleveland. Angel reliever Gary Glover is also a possibility, but Scioscia said the starter would likely come from outside the team. Shields is expected to start the other game.