Moreno Weighs Modest Stadium Expansion Plan

After setting a club record for attendance last season and selling out 15 of the first 26 home games this season, the Angels are considering a modest expansion of Angel Stadium.

The team is studying the feasibility of adding several hundred seats in left field and/or right field, said John Carpino, senior vice president of sales and marketing. If the Angels do so, he said, construction would take place this winter and the new seats would open next season.

The addition could generate close to $1 million a year, but Carpino said owner Arte Moreno would not proceed until satisfied that affordable family seating could be provided there and that parking and concessions could run smoothly despite larger crowds. The 1997 stadium renovation reduced seating capacity from 64,000 to 45,000, and Carpino said the Angels have no plans for major expansion.

“We don’t want to compromise the intimacy of the ballpark,” he said.

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Although the Angels released Kevin Appier and traded Scott Schoeneweis last season, after each pitcher expressed concern about team management, General Manager Bill Stoneman said Ramon Ortiz would not be traded because he publicly complained about his bullpen role. Appier was cut because he was ineffective, Stoneman said, and Schoeneweis was traded because the team got two solid prospects for a pitcher who did not fit into the Angels’ plans.

“Ramon has pitched very effectively in the bullpen,” Stoneman said. “Right now, he’s an important part of the bullpen.”

Ortiz, a 16-game winner last season, met with Manager Mike Scioscia and pitching coach Bud Black Friday and said he would do as told. However, for the second consecutive day, he expressed unhappiness with his role. He has a 1.35 earned-run average in seven relief appearances, after a 9.28 ERA in five starts.

“I want to stay with the Anaheim Angels,” he said. “My family is here. There are a lot of Latin players here. I have a lot of friends.

“The only thing I can say is, I’m a starting pitcher. I don’t want to stay in the bullpen.”

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Closer Troy Percival said he had no soreness in his right elbow, one day after receiving a cortisone injection to combat inflammation, and said he was available to pitch if needed. ... Shortstop David Eckstein said his right hamstring “grabbed but didn’t pop” when he suffered a strain during Thursday’s game. Scioscia said Eckstein could return Sunday or Tuesday. ... Catcher Bengie Molina was scratched because of a strained left calf. ... Scioscia said designated hitter Tim Salmon (left knee) was scheduled to complete his rehabilitation assignment with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga today and could be activated Sunday or Tuesday. ... Reliever Brendan Donnelly (right elbow tendinitis) said he hoped he could throw batting practice next week and start a minor league rehabilitation assignment the following week.