Sele on Disabled List; Salmon Concerned About Role

Aaron Sele sat out the first five weeks of 2003 while he recovered from shoulder surgery, the last five weeks of 2002 because of a shoulder tear, half of 1996 because of tendinitis in his arm and two weeks of 1995 because of a strained rib-cage muscle.

Friday marked the first time in his 11-year career that Sele went on the 15-day disabled list because of “spring-training dead arm.” That’s how the right-hander described the fatigue that sapped the velocity and life from his fastball and forced him out of Thursday night’s game after six innings.

Sele thought he’d be fine if he skipped one start, but the Angels, knowing one missed start would sideline Sele for 10 days, figured they’d give him an extra five days. So, they put Sele on the DL -- he’s the eighth Angel regular to go on the DL this season -- and recalled first baseman Robb Quinlan from triple-A Salt Lake.

“I feel fine -- I did all my normal exercises, and nothing is weak,” Sele said Friday. “Lou [Yocum, team physician] looked at me, and there’s no reason to do an MRI test. I’ve been through enough where I know the difference between pain and a spring-training dead arm.”

With an off day Monday, the Angels won’t need a fifth starter until next Saturday in Houston. Demoted starter Ramon Ortiz is the leading candidate, and relievers Kevin Gregg and Scot Shields will be considered, “but we’ll see what shape the bullpen is and where the roster is before we make a decision,” Manager Mike Scioscia said.

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Tim Salmon, who went three for three against the Brewers on Wednesday in his first game back from the DL, did not start Friday for the second consecutive game.

Center fielder Garret Anderson, in his second game off the DL, was the designated hitter against the Cubs, Jeff DaVanon and his .344 average started in center, and regulars Vladimir Guerrero and Jose Guillen started in the corner outfield spots.

With five players for four spots -- three outfield and the DH -- Salmon is coming to grips with the fact that he won’t be an everyday player for the first time in his Angel career.

And this, the 12-year veteran and franchise home run leader admitted, will take some getting used to.

“I’m trying to keep a good spin on it,” said Salmon, who was hitting .224 entering Friday. “ ... But at some point you have to look at a guy like me and ask, ‘How effective can I be if I’m not playing on a regular basis?’

“I’ve been an everyday player. I’m the type of player who needs to get at-bats, and then I come around.... I know what kind of player I am, and hopefully I’m given the opportunity to be that kind of player. If I’m not used as that kind of player, then I’ll re-evaluate the situation.”

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Ortiz requested a trade in a meeting with Scioscia and General Manager Bill Stoneman last week, and there is interest in the right-hander -- the White Sox are believed to have offered veteran infielder Jose Valentin for Ortiz, and the Orioles would like to package left-handed reliever Buddy Groom in a deal for Ortiz.

But with Sele and closer Troy Percival on the DL and Ortiz pitching far better since he was dropped from the rotation in early May, there appears to be virtually no chance of the Angels’ trading Ortiz any time soon.

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Shortstop David Eckstein, who returned Thursday after a five-game absence, did not start Friday because of tightness in his right hamstring, but he expects to return to the starting lineup tonight.... In his second rehabilitation start for triple-A Salt Lake, Darin Erstad went two for five with a two-run single and made two diving stops at first base Friday night. Erstad is expected to be activated for Tuesday’s game at Pittsburgh.