Ortiz Returns Home for Father’s Funeral; Bootcheck to Take His Spot

Ramon Ortiz has returned home to the Dominican Republic to attend the funeral of his father, Alfonso Urena, who died Saturday after a long battle with emphysema.

“Right now he needs some time to be with his family,” Angel Manager Mike Scioscia said. “There is a plan for him to come back next weekend, but you certainly have to understand that things could change.”

Chris Bootcheck, the Angels’ first-round pick in the 2000 draft, will temporarily replace Ortiz in the rotation and make his major-league debut Tuesday against the Oakland Athletics. Bootcheck, 24, finished 8-9 with a 4.25 earned-run average at triple-A Salt Lake but had a strong second half in which he won five of his last seven decisions.

*

Garret Anderson is on pace to become the first Angel to play in all 162 regular-season games since Don Baylor in 1979. Anderson played both games of the Angels’ doubleheader Saturday against the Kansas City Royals and was in the lineup Sunday as the designated hitter.

“It’s incredible that he can play at that level every day,” Scioscia said. “To make it through every game, things would have to fall into place for you.”

Anderson played in 161 games in 2001, missing one game in Kansas City when he returned to Southern California to attend to a family matter.

*

Tim Salmon sat out a second consecutive game because of back stiffness that has nagged the right fielder recently. Scioscia said Salmon might miss tonight’s game against Oakland but probably would be in the lineup Tuesday.

*

Scioscia is contemplating a six-man rotation over the final few weeks of the season but has not decided whether Bootcheck or Kevin Gregg, who has pitched well in two spot starts, would be the No. 6 starter.... Shortstop Wilson Delgado has hit safely in all seven games since joining the Angels last week, with a .409 average.

ON DECK

Opponent -- Oakland Athletics, four games.

Site -- Network Associates Coliseum.

TV -- Channel 9 tonight, Tuesday and Thursday; Fox Sports Net on Wednesday.

Radio -- KSPN (710), XKAM (950) tonight, Tuesday and Wednesday; KWKU (1220) Thursday.

Records -- Angels 69-74, Athletics 84-59.

Record vs. Athletics -- 6-7.

Tonight, 7 -- Aaron Sele (7-10, 5.88) vs. Tim Hudson (14-5, 2.57).

Tuesday, 7 p.m. -- Chris Bootcheck (0-0, 0.00) vs. Justin Duchscherer (0-0, 0.00).

Wednesday, 7 p.m. -- Jarrod Washburn (10-13, 4.35) vs. Ted Lilly (8-9, 4.74).

Thursday, 12:30 p.m. -- Scot Shields (4-4, 2.97) vs. Rich Harden (4-4, 4.81).