Injury Sets Off Bench Scramble

Garret Anderson suffered a strained groin Thursday, an injury that exposed the Angels’ bench as thin and led them to play without a designated hitter for the final three innings against the Rangers.

With Anderson doubtful for the three-game series in Seattle that starts tonight, the Angels are expected to promote a minor league infielder, providing the flexibility for third baseman Chone Figgins to play center field in Anderson’s absence.

Manager Mike Scioscia described the injury as “mild” and said he did not expect that Anderson would be put on the disabled list.

He also said the Angels would not risk slowing the healing process by using Anderson at designated hitter.

The Angels are not expected to call up star prospect Dallas McPherson, who is hitting .314 with 10 home runs in 22 games at triple-A Salt Lake. They are considering Salt Lake infielders Alfredo Amezaga, Adam Riggs and Alex Pelaez. Reserve infielder Robb Quinlan played third base for the Angels on Thursday and had four hits.

The Angels reduced their bench to four players -- including two reserve catchers -- Wednesday.

When Anderson left Thursday’s game in the seventh inning, with the Angels leading 7-0, Scioscia decided shortstop David Eckstein could finish his scheduled day off and decided against putting Tim Salmon in left field and moving Jose Guillen to center.

So designated hitter Jeff DaVanon went to center, and the Angels lost the DH. In the ninth, Salmon hit in the pitcher’s spot.

Anderson said he would try running today. He suffered the injury while running out an infield single.

“I just stepped on the bag wrong, and my leg felt funny,” he said.

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The Angels remain interested in Randy Johnson, although the feeling might not be mutual.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are not expected to ask Johnson to approve a trade until next week, if at all. By then, as the trading deadline nears, the Angels hope Arizona might consider a package that does not include more than one of their three top prospects -- McPherson, catcher Jeff Mathis and first baseman Casey Kotchman.

The Angels have scouted Pittsburgh Pirate pitcher Kris Benson as well, but they’re not willing to trade any of those three prospects for him.

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On Wednesday, Guillen told three reporters -- in three interviews -- that he did not attend that day’s players-only meeting.

“It doesn’t matter to me,” Guillen told The Times. “I’m just trying to do my job. The meeting isn’t going to mean anything.”

After Angel management canvassed some players Thursday, Scioscia told reporters that Guillen did attend the meeting.

Guillen refused to confirm that, and said, “Who cares?” He also told reporters, “I’m not talking to you guys the rest of the season.”

One player who asked not to be identified expressed exasperation at Guillen’s latest clubhouse distraction but said he could tolerate such quirks as long as Guillen played every day and hit .300.

In May, after a game in which John Lackey was ejected for throwing at a hitter, Guillen complained that Angel pitchers were not protecting their hitters.

ON DECK

Opponent -- Seattle Mariners, three games.

Site -- Safeco Field.

TV -- Channel 9, all games.

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

Records -- Angels 50-45, Mariners 37-57

Record vs. Mariners -- 5-1.

Tonight, 7 -- John Lackey (7-9, 4.91) vs. Jamie Moyer (6-6, 4.31).

Saturday, 7 p.m. -- Aaron Sele (5-0, 4.50) vs. Ron Villone (3-2, 3.13).

Sunday, 1 p.m. -- Jarrod Washburn (10-5, 4.83) vs. Joel Pineiro (5-11, 4.88).