Quinlan Glad to Have Chance

Robb Quinlan said he was thrilled to make his major league debut for the Angels on Monday but conceded that he would have preferred to make it last September during the excitement of a pennant race.

“When you think you should be somewhere and you’re not, obviously it’s a little disappointing,” said Quinlan, honored as the Angels’ minor league player of the year last season after hitting .333 with 20 home runs and 112 runs batted in for triple-A Salt Lake. “I thought I had a pretty good year and I thought I had an opportunity, but sometimes it doesn’t happen.”

Manager Mike Scioscia said that the combination first baseman and corner outfielder was capable of contributing last season, but that the team couldn’t use him at the time.

“We had all the parts that we could use and all the parts we needed,” Scioscia said. “There were no at-bats for Robb and there wasn’t going to be a role for him.”

That is obviously no longer the case with the team struggling to score runs and depleted by the losses of third baseman Troy Glaus and designated hitter Brad Fullmer to injuries. Scioscia made it clear that Quinlan, who started at first base Monday against the Oakland Athletics, will receive ample playing time and is expected to provide a lift.

“This is a move that is hopefully going to make us more productive toward our goal this year,” Scioscia said. “He was brought up for one reason: There was a need.”

To make room for Quinlan on their roster, the Angels designated reliever Mickey Callaway for assignment. If Callaway clears waivers, he has the option of deciding whether to remain with the organization or claim free agency.

“I’d like to start every day, and I just have to find a situation where I can do that,” said Callaway, who has struggled during a season in which he was stashed in the bullpen for the first time in his career.

“That’s easy to find in triple-A, hard to find in the big leagues. I don’t think anywhere I go they’re going to say, ‘Hey, here’s the ball, you’re going to get 32 starts.’ ”

Quinlan said he has adjusted his attitude after letting his disappointment carry over from last season into spring training.

“You’re not going to get anywhere hanging your head and sulking about it,” he said. “I’m happy to be here now and I’ll do whatever they need.”

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Scioscia started Adam Kennedy against Oakland pitcher Barry Zito two days after meeting with the second baseman to discuss his playing time against left-handers. Scioscia said Kennedy, who had a single in three at-bats, started because of his recent offensive production rather than the publicity the meeting generated.

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ON DECK

Opponent -- New York Yankees, three games.

Site -- Edison Field.

TV -- Fox Sports Net, all three games.

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

Records -- Angels 52-52, Yankees 63-40.

Record vs. Yankees -- 3-3.

Tonight, 7 -- Kevin Appier (7-6, 5.28) vs. Andy Pettitte (12-6, 4.55).

Wednesday, 7 p.m. -- John Lackey (7-9, 4.96) vs. Roger Clemens (9-7, 4.01).

Thursday, 7 p.m. -- Aaron Sele (6-8, 5.17) vs. David Wells (12-3, 3.80).

Tickets -- (714) 663-9000.