Infield Platoon Gets Sticky

Adam Kennedy and Manager Mike Scioscia met behind closed doors for more than an hour Saturday, one day after Kennedy wondered publicly whether Scioscia ever would trust him against left-handed pitchers.

Kennedy said Scioscia scolded him for what the manager perceived as criticism of teammate Benji Gil, his platoon partner at second base. Kennedy said he supports Gil and explained his comments were prompted by Friday’s infield alignment against Oakland left-hander Ted Lilly, which included Gil and rookie Alfredo Amezaga but not him.

“That puts me as the third option,” Kennedy said. “That’s tough to take.”

Kennedy said he did not believe Scioscia understood the issue was Friday’s lineup, not a demand to displace Gil and play full time.

Said Scioscia: “His role hasn’t changed. I think he’s very satisfied with that.”

Said Kennedy: “He read it his way. I read it my way.”

Scioscia did suggest, however, that his patience might be running out with Gil, who is batting .184 against left-handers.

“We would have expected more production,” Scioscia said. “We felt we needed to play that out. That doesn’t mean we’re not going to switch at some point.”

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In 2000, when the Angels signed first-round draft pick Joe Torres for $2.08 million -- the highest bonus the team has paid to a high school player -- Torres said he envisioned arriving in the major leagues in “about three years.” But the left-hander has yet to advance past Class A, and now he faces the possibility of reconstructive elbow surgery, which would jeopardize a career already stalled by a significant loss of velocity and a series of other injuries.

If Torres undergoes the so-called Tommy John procedure, he would not be expected to return before the 2005 season. General Manager Bill Stoneman said the operation has been discussed but not confirmed. He said he would not yet write off Torres, 20, citing the large number of pitchers who successfully resume their careers after surgery and the smaller number who actually throw harder.

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The Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves, both in search of relief help, could consider the Angels’ Scott Schoeneweis, clocked as fast as 93 mph Saturday.... Scioscia said third baseman Troy Glaus has yet to regain range of motion in his bruised right shoulder. If he cannot recover full range in the next few days, he probably would remain on the disabled list beyond Aug. 6, when he is eligible for activation.... Jarrod Washburn proudly wore his hospital bracelet to the ballpark Saturday, one day after wife Kerrie gave birth to the couple’s second child, a boy named Owen.... When the Angels originally invited Bruce Springsteen to extend his summer tour to Edison Field, they were told the tour would not reach the West Coast. Springsteen, already booked to play ballparks in Boston, Chicago, Detroit and Milwaukee, later decided to add West Coast dates Aug. 16-17. Edison Field was not available, with the Angels playing the Detroit Tigers, so Springsteen will play Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco Aug. 16 and Dodger Stadium Aug. 17.