Slumping Figgins Was Too Close for Comfort

Even though Chone Figgins is on track to accumulate more at-bats in 2004 than in any of his previous seven professional seasons, hitting coach Mickey Hatcher cited a flaw in Figgins’ batting stance -- and not fatigue -- as the cause of a recent slump.

Figgins has positioned his back leg too close to home plate, Hatcher said, leading to more foul balls and a less effective approach. Figgins’ batting average had dropped from .315 on July 23 to .295 before he went two for four Saturday during the Angels’ 7-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

“He got closer to the plate than I had ever seen him and he hit a lot of balls hard but foul,” Hatcher said of Figgins, who is hitting .190 over the last two weeks. “I suggested to him that he needed to move off the plate but don’t change your mechanics. I think it’s going to get a little more balls in the playing field.”

Figgins said he did not think he was being adversely affected by fatigue because he has maintained a season-long regimen of hearty eating and heavy lifting in the weight room.

“Adding some muscle makes me stronger and keeps me going harder through the season,” said Figgins, who is 5 feet 8 and 155 pounds. “It keeps my legs fresh, my arms strong. I’m going to continue to eat and continue to lift and not tire myself out. I’m not changing anything.”

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Yoshitaka Mizuo, a left-hander once considered a strong candidate to bolster the Angel bullpen, suffered another setback Thursday when he had to leave a minor league game in the second inning with neck and shoulder pain. Mizuo, from Japan, has gone 1-1 with a 6.57 earned-run average for double-A Arkansas since being demoted from triple-A Salt Lake.

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Jeff DaVanon’s return from the disabled list has been pushed back at least a couple of days after the outfielder suffered a twisted foot while playing for Salt Lake. DaVanon is eligible to be activated today.... Manager Mike Scioscia said Andres Galarraga, attempting to make the Angel roster after beating cancer for a second time, displayed good bat speed Friday night while going three for four with a homer and three runs batted in in his second game with Salt Lake.... Jarrod Washburn played light catch without discomfort Friday in what the Angels hope is a first step toward a return from the strained ligament in his rib cage that landed him on the disabled list.... Garret Anderson returned at designated hitter Saturday after missing the previous game with mild tendinitis in his left knee. Scioscia said he expected Anderson to return to center field within the next few days.... Bengie Molina’s broken right index finger has progressed to the point that Scioscia said the catcher could be activated when he is eligible to come off the disabled list on Aug. 16.