Eckstein Still Has Soreness

When shortstop David Eckstein returned in early May after sitting out five games because of a strained right groin, he started 27 of the Angels’ next 28 games, showing no ill effects of the injury.

But after sitting out five games from June 4 to 9 because of a strained right hamstring, Eckstein has not bounced back from his latest injury as easily. He started Thursday against Milwaukee, sat out Friday, and started Saturday against the Chicago Cubs.

But Eckstein did not start Sunday against Chicago, was not in the lineup Tuesday night against the Pirates, and Manager Mike Scioscia said there’s a chance the leadoff batter might have to go on the disabled list. His chances of starting during the Pittsburgh series seem slim.

“He’s still not quite at a level we want him to get to,” Scioscia said. “If we can nurse him through the next couple of days, he can help us in spots. We have to give him time for the hamstring to heal. He might be only a couple of days out. If not, we may have to look at other things.”

*

Third base prospect Dallas McPherson hit two more home runs for double-A Arkansas on Monday, giving him eight home runs and 19 runs batted in during an eight-game stretch and “sparking some conversations” about being promoted to triple-A Salt Lake, according to Tony Reagins, Angel player development director.

The Angels, though, don’t plan to rush McPherson to the big leagues, even with third baseman Troy Glaus probably out for the season because of shoulder surgery.

“It’s a matter of earning his way, and he’s proven he can play at double-A,” Reagins said of McPherson, who is hitting .329 with 20 homers and 67 RBIs in 63 games. “Now, it’s a matter of picking the right time for the next challenge.”

McPherson may be one of baseball’s best power-hitting prospects, but he needs more seasoning on defense.

“His range, coming in on balls, those are things he needs to improve on, but he’s not far away,” Reagins said. “Range is something you either have or don’t have, but he can get in better position to field the ball.”

*

The Angels recalled reliever Derrick Turnbow from Salt Lake and the right-hander, who was 1-3 with a 5.11 earned-run average in 22 triple-A games, took the roster spot of catcher Bengie Molina, who was put on the disabled list Monday because of a strained left calf.

Turnbow threw 13 scoreless innings for the Angels last September and appeared to be a lock to make the team this spring but struggled and was demoted.

*

First baseman Darin Erstad started for the first time since May 8, when he strained his right hamstring trying to score from second base against Tampa Bay. Erstad will wear a custom-made knee brace, which he hopes will stabilize his knee and hamstring.

“My knee has a hyper-extension problem, so this will give my knee more support and take some stress off the hamstring,” Erstad said. “I feel better running with it than I do without it.”