Less May Be More for Wooten

In the hope of shedding his label as a utility player, Shawn Wooten plans to shed a few pounds this winter.

Wooten started his first major league game at third base Saturday. With the status of incumbent Troy Glaus uncertain because of a torn rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder, Wooten wants the Angels to consider him as a starter, at the position he played throughout the minor leagues.

“I want to play third base,” he said. “If Troy comes back and has a setback, I want to be that guy.”

The Angels are concerned that the 5-foot-10, 230-pound Wooten doesn’t have the stamina to play every day, Manager Mike Scioscia said. Wooten said he is committed to lose weight and has signed up for an off-season nutrition program that includes a home-delivery meal service.

He is uncertain what his optimal playing weight might be. After his first two minor league seasons, the Detroit Tigers asked him to lose 25 pounds. He did. Then he hit .230 at Class A, and the Tigers released him.

“That was the worst year I ever had,” he said. “It doesn’t do me any good to drop down to 200 and hit .180. I’m not going to have a job.... If I’m going to fail, I want to fail being strong.”

Wooten, 31, a career .322 hitter at the start of the season, is batting .260. He is hitting .368 as a pinch-hitter, and he has started 27 games at first base, 16 at designated hitter and two at catcher. He is eligible for salary arbitration for the first time.

“Hopefully, next year, if someone gets hurt, I can go out there and play every day,” he said. “I’ll work my tail off. If it’s not here, I’ll play somewhere else every day.”

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The Angels hope Sammy Sosa and Jim Edmonds appear at Edison Field next season.

Although next season’s schedule has not been completed, American League West teams will face National League Central teams in interleague play. The Angels played host to the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates last season, so the Edison Field visitors could include Sosa and the Chicago Cubs, Edmonds and the St. Louis Cardinals, the Houston Astros and the Milwaukee Brewers.

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Tim Salmon was hit by pitches twice Saturday, once on the chest and once below the knee. He finished the game but might not play today.... Adam Riggs, in search of a bench job next season, made his Angel debut at second base and had three more hits and a stolen base. In eight games, he’s hitting .440.... Detroit rookie left-hander Nate Robertson became the first pitcher this season to strike out Garret Anderson three times in a game.... The Angels have won three consecutive road games for the first time since June 1-4.