Glaus Might Play in Minors

Troy Glaus has begun taking live batting practice and running the bases aggressively, the slugger’s return from supposedly season-ending shoulder surgery in May looking more imminent than doubtful.

Asked Sunday whether Glaus could get some at-bats in minor league games before Angel affiliates end their seasons Sept. 6, Manager Mike Scioscia said, “Absolutely. That’s our goal.”

Glaus, who has been rehabilitating his right shoulder in Arizona, will return to Anaheim this week to work out and be evaluated by Angel coaches and the team’s medical staff.

Sunday marked the first time since Glaus had surgery May 21 that the Angels have publicly expressed optimism about his return as a designated hitter; the injury will prevent Glaus from playing third base this season.

“The optimism the medical staff and Troy are showing is encouraging, but there are some things Troy has to go through before returning,” Scioscia said. “There is a possibility of him playing for us, but I don’t know if I want to plan for that. Because the important thing is not next month, it’s the next 10 years of his career.”

Glaus was batting .296 with 11 home runs and 28 runs batted in when he opted to have surgery, a decision that drew some criticism because he was still very productive as a designated hitter despite injuries to both shoulders and his knee, and the procedure usually takes four months -- minimum -- to recover from.

Glaus said he decided to have surgery in May because it would give him the best chance to return healthy in September and October.

If Glaus, who will be a free agent this winter, is not ready to begin a rehabilitation assignment before Sept. 6, he could get at-bats in simulated games in Anaheim or Arizona.

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It was the quickest -- and probably cleanest -- save in Troy Percival’s 10 years as an Angel reliever.

The closer replaced Brendan Donnelly to start the ninth inning Sunday and got Jorge Posada to ground to short on the first pitch, John Olerud to ground to short on the second pitch and pinch-hitter Ruben Sierra to fly to left on the first pitch.

Four pitches, four strikes, three out, game over for Percival, whose 24th save preserved the Angels’ 4-3 win over the New York Yankees.

“All three of those guys can turn on a fastball, and they came out swinging,” Percival said. “I threw quality pitches.... I had as close to normal stuff, and life on the ball, as I’ve had in a long time. My back feels really good. It’s really come around the last three days.”

He added: “A four-pitch inning ... I don’t get those very often,” Percival said. “If I could do that, I could throw a lot more often.”

Asked if he could recall a save in which he threw 10 pitches or fewer, Percival said, “Yeah, back in the day, when I used to be good.”

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Jose Guillen played Sunday despite a sore left ankle, injured when he fouled a ball off his foot Saturday. Guillen had an infield single and a sacrifice fly in four plate appearances.... Scioscia said Garret Anderson’s left ankle and right knee were still “a little tender,” and it appears the center fielder will be limited to a designated hitter role for a couple of more days.

ON DECK

Opponent -- Kansas City Royals, three games.

Site -- Angel Stadium.

TV -- Fox Sports Net all three games.

Radio -- KSPN (710), KTNQ (1020).

Records -- Angels 70-54, Royals 44-77.

Record vs. Royals -- 4-0.

Tonight, 7 -- Bartolo Colon (12-9, 5.39) vs. Darrell May (9-13, 5.40).

Tuesday, 7 p.m. -- John Lackey (10-10, 4.87) vs. Jimmy Serrano (0-1, 4.58).

Wednesday, 7 p.m. -- Ramon Ortiz (4-7, 4.15) vs. Mike Wood (2-5, 4.70).