Erstad Takes Big Step in Recovery by Running

Darin Erstad took the first major step toward returning to the lineup by running in the outfield a couple of hours before the Angels played the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday.

“He didn’t open it up near full speed,” Angel Manager Mike Scioscia said, “but for the first day you really just want to get him out there getting some blood flow and seeing how you can step it up to get it to where it needs to be.”

Scioscia said the center fielder, restricted from running recently because of tendinitis in his right hamstring that has kept him out of the lineup since April 19, came out of the workout fine. But whether Erstad still feels that way today will be significantly more important in assessing a timetable for his return.

“”I think he’ll go by how he feels,” Scioscia said.

“I’m sure he’ll pick up the intensity as he feels he can tolerate it.”

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Reliever Brendan Donnelly gave up his first hit of the season with a runner in scoring position Wednesday but escaped without giving up a run to stretch his scoreless streak to 18 innings. It is the best start by an Angel pitcher since Lee Smith pitched 19 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings to open the 1995 season.

“Brendan has really been consistent this year in executing his pitches,” Scioscia said. “That’s one of the key components of a championship-caliber bullpen, and we have one of the guys who’s been the best in the league at it.”

Opposing hitters are one for 25 against Donnelly with runners in scoring position.

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Casey Kotchman, the Angels’ top prospect, is expected to return to the lineup at Class-A Rancho Cucamonga in less than a week after being sidelined since May 1 with a hamstring injury.

Tony Reagins, the Angels’ director of player development, said the first baseman told him Tuesday that the hamstring “felt 100% better,” but the club does not want to rush him back and risk an aggravation.

Kotchman has been plagued by injuries since the Angels made him their top pick in the 2001 draft with the 13th selection overall. He played in only 92 games his first two minor league seasons because of wrist injuries.

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The Angels optioned outfielder Gary Johnson to triple-A Salt Lake to make room on the roster for pitcher Aaron Sele, who will be activated today from the disabled list.

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ON DECK

Opponent -- Toronto Blue Jays, three games.

Site -- Edison Field.

TV -- Channel 9, tonight and Saturday.

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

Records -- Angels 15-17, Blue Jays 16-19.

Record vs. Blue Jays -- 0-3.

Tonight, 7 -- Aaron Sele (no record) vs. Doug Davis (1-0, 5.00).

Saturday, 7 p.m. -- Ramon Ortiz (4-3, 5.09) vs. Mark Hendrickson (2-4, 6.57).

Sunday, 1 p.m. -- Jarrod Washburn (3-3, 3.71) vs. Roy Halladay (2-2, 5.13).