Matsui May Be Short Answer

David Eckstein said he would endorse the Angels’ potential pursuit of Kazuo Matsui, even though he would lose his job as the Angel shortstop if the team acquired the Japanese star.

Eckstein saw Matsui up close as part of a major league All-Star team that toured Japan in November. He described Matsui as a Gold Glove-caliber shortstop and said the switch-hitter homered from each side of the plate in one game of the exhibition series.

“From what we saw, he has a lot of ability. He seems like a real good player,” Eckstein said. “He showed good power, good speed and good control of the bat from both sides of the plate. And defense is his specialty. He has good range and a good arm.”

Matsui, 27, a free agent this fall, is expected to leave the Japanese league to sign with a major league team.

He reportedly would like to play on the West Coast; the Angels, Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Oakland A’s and Seattle Mariners all could be among the suitors.

He is hitting .298 with 22 home runs for the Seibu Lions, extending his streak of consecutive 20-homer seasons to four.

Matsui hit over .300 in each of the previous six seasons and stole more than 20 bases in each of the previous eight.

If the Angels pursue a free-agent shortstop, Matsui figures to come cheaper than Oakland’s Miguel Tejada, who is 26. They also could play rookie Alfredo Amezaga at shortstop. Either way, Eckstein could lose his position, perhaps moving to second base.

“Everybody knows I’ll do whatever the team wants me to do,” Eckstein said.

*

The Angels promoted reliever Scott Dunn to triple-A Salt Lake, 11 days after they acquired him from the Chicago White Sox in the Scott Schoeneweis trade. In three appearances at double-A Arkansas, Dunn pitched five scoreless innings, striking out seven and walking none.... Outfielder Darin Erstad (hamstring) and third baseman Troy Glaus (shoulder) each are expected to consult today with Dr. Lewis Yocum, the Angel medical director. Both could be out for the rest of the season.... Doctors have recommended that minor league pitcher Joe Torres try rehabilitation before surgery, so Torres will work to strengthen his injured elbow so he can return in 2004 rather than 2005. Torres, 20, the Angels’ top draft pick three years ago, has yet to advance past Class A. The Angels signed him for $2.08 million, the highest bonus they have paid to a high school player.

ON DECK

Opponent -- Chicago White Sox, four games.

Site -- Edison Field.

TV -- All games on Fox Sports Net.

Radio -- KSPN (710), XKAM (950).

Records -- Angels 54-63, White Sox 62-55.

2002 record vs. White Sox -- 6-3.

Tonight, 7 -- Aaron Sele (6-9, 4.89) vs. Bartolo Colon (10-9, 3.76).

Tuesday, 7 p.m. -- Ramon Ortiz (13-9, 4.58) vs. Dan Wright (0-5, 6.18).

Wednesday, 7 p.m. -- Jarrod Washburn (9-11, 4.51) vs. Mark Buehrle (10-11, 4.29).

Thursday, 7 p.m. -- Scot Shields (2-3, 2.23) vs. Jon Garland (8-8, 4.61).