Eckstein, Donnelly Questionable

If the Angels are to build on their five-game winning streak, they will have to do so without the services of setup man Brendan Donnelly and shortstop David Eckstein, at least for the next few days.

Eckstein had to leave the Angels’ 11-6 victory over the Detroit Tigers in the fourth inning Sunday after experiencing shooting pains from his lower back down his right leg. He is scheduled to undergo an MRI exam on his lower back today in Southern California that will determine whether he makes the trip to Chicago.

Donnelly, a right-hander, bruised the back of his left hand a few days ago while shagging fly balls and is listed as day-to-day.

“I don’t think anyone thought anything of it [at the time],” Angel Manager Mike Scioscia said, “but over the last couple of days it got worse.”

Eckstein said the inflamed nerve in his lower back is related to tightness in his right hamstring that forced him to miss three games earlier this week. The timing of the injuries has frustrated Eckstein.

“The team is starting to play well,” he said, “and not being able to be part of it is tough.”

The Angels also probably will be without Ben Weber for another game or two after the reliever suffered a swollen right thumb Saturday after deflecting Kevin Witt’s sharp grounder back up the middle. Weber said he thought he broke his thumb on the play, but X-rays were negative.

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Adam Riggs’ misspelled jersey isn’t headed for an auction or Cooperstown. In fact, it might not even be headed for prominent display in the utility player’s home.

Ken Higdon, the Angels’ equipment manager, said the jersey, which bears the letters A-N-G-E-E-S across the front, would be shipped back to the manufacturer, though Riggs said he might make a last-second plea to hold on to the keepsake.

“I would love to have it,” said Riggs, who wore the jersey while playing left field Saturday against the Detroit Tigers. “I think I’d put it in a frame and put it in my house somewhere. What a great story.”

Higdon said he had never seen such a glaring mistake by a manufacturer in his 16 years with the club, though no one with the Angels noticed the blunder before Riggs took the field.

“The primary thing is to check the names and numbers to make sure they’re right,” Higdon said.

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Chuck Finley did not attend the Angels’ alumni event Sunday at Edison Field after traveling to Louisiana last week to be with his ill father, Chuck, but his chances of rejoining the Angel starting rotation next season recently appeared to increase when the Angels released veteran Kevin Appier.

Finley, the Angels’ all-time winningest pitcher, reportedly told friends he has not ruled out resuming his career in 2004 after failing to latch on with a team this season as a free agent.

ON DECK

Opponent -- Chicago White Sox, three games.

Site -- U.S. Cellular Field.

TV -- Channel 9 tonight and Tuesday.

Radio -- KSPN (710), KWKU (1220).

Records -- Angels 60-64, White Sox 63-61. .

Record vs. White Sox -- 3-1.

Tonight, 5 PDT -- Jarrod Washburn (9-11, 4.38) vs. Mark Buehrle (10-12, 4.22).

Tuesday, 5 p.m. -- Scot Shields (3-3, 2.15) vs. Jon Garland (8-9, 4.60).

Wednesday, 5 p.m. -- John Lackey (8-11, 5.12) vs. Esteban Loaiza (15-6, 2.55).