Bengie Molina Sidelined for at Least Two Weeks

Bengie Molina is expected to be out two to four weeks after going on the disabled list Tuesday, when X-rays revealed that the catcher had broken the tip of his right index finger Saturday on a wild pitch from reliever Kevin Gregg.

The Angels delayed their decision on Molina’s replacement until today to assess their options, which do not appear to include their most prized minor league prospects, third baseman Dallas McPherson and catcher Jeff Mathis. General Manager Bill Stoneman could look outside the organization for help, Manager Mike Scioscia said, and might not opt for another catcher because the Angels already had two backups behind Molina.

“Obviously, it’s not going to be an impact-type guy,” Scioscia said of Molina’s replacement, “but it will be a guy we’re going to need to help us win games, and that’s going to be important.”

The Angels figure to miss Molina’s bat more than his glove, considering he delivered two game-turning hits last week. His primary backup, brother Jose Molina, is a solid defender who has thrown out 48% of attempted base stealers.

“As far as the pitching staff, I think we’ll be fine because Jose’s great behind the plate,” pitcher John Lackey said. “As far as swinging the bat, Bengie’s got some big hits for us. It’s going to be a pretty big blow there.”

Said shortstop David Eckstein: “He is like Mr. Clutch for us. Every time you’re looking for a big hit and he’s in the situation, he comes through.”

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Robb Quinlan, expected to be a bit player in “The A Team,” Arte Moreno’s $111-million production, has stepped front and center the last couple of weeks.

Quinlan walked into an especially bright spotlight Tuesday night when he returned to the Metrodome -- where he played many games for the Minnesota Golden Gophers as an All-Big Ten Conference first baseman -- as the reigning American League rookie of the month.

The Angel utilityman was besieged by such a heavy demand for tickets among friends and family from his nearby hometown of Maplewood that he had to enlist the help of his mother to distribute the 16 tickets he could cobble together.

Alas, it was not a triumphant homecoming. Quinlan finished one for four and hit into one of the Angels’ six double plays during a 10-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins. His fifth-inning single extended his career-high hitting streak to 14 games.

The Angels have been impressed by the approach of the 27-year-old, who hit .300 or better in four of his five minor league seasons and batted .407 with the Angels in July.

“He’s always hit wherever he’s been,” Angel hitting coach Mickey Hatcher said. “This guy’s making wonderful adjustments at the plate day in and day out. He really has a good idea of how the pitchers are pitching him, and he changes; this guy finds a way to get a base hit, and you like those kinds of guys in your lineup.”

Quinlan said he has changed his swing “just a tad,” resisting the urge to jump on pitches by allowing them to travel toward him a split-second longer so he can generate additional power. All three of his home runs have come since June 24.

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Scioscia flopped Aaron Sele and Ramon Ortiz in the rotation the final two days of the series against the Twins to give Sele, recovering from fatigue in his right shoulder, an extra day of rest.... Jeff DaVanon, recovering from lower back spasms, worked out aggressively Tuesday and could begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment with Salt Lake as soon as Thursday.... Jarrod Washburn, whose recovery from a strained ligament in his left rib cage was set back Sunday when he felt too much discomfort to try a bullpen session, is expected to resume throwing in the next couple of days.