Planning a Lineup Without Anderson

TEMPE, Ariz. —  Having completed a week of spring training games without Garret Anderson in the lineup, the Angels are making contingency plans in case the All-Star’s biceps tendinitis prevents him from being the opening-day center fielder.

Anderson initially was expected to sit out only a couple of days after experiencing the inflammation near his right, non-throwing shoulder March 4, but he hasn’t resumed swinging a bat and might not do so for another week.

Manager Mike Scioscia said Thursday he anticipates having Anderson in the lineup when the Angels open the season against the Seattle Mariners on April 6 at Safeco Field, yet he is assessing options as his absence in games continues. One alternative would be moving left fielder Jose Guillen to center and replacing Guillen with Tim Salmon, but Chone Figgins and Jeff DaVanon are options that would allow Guillen to remain in left.

The Angels liked what they saw of Figgins during the 40 games he played in center last season as a replacement for injured regular Darin Erstad but were disappointed by his decision to skip winter ball, which he attributed to his satisfaction with his performance. DaVanon started 26 games in center and displayed adequate range and arm strength.

Another scenario would be to start Anderson in left if he were unable to return in time to get comfortable with the transition to center and new outfield teammates Guillen and Vladimir Guerrero. But the transition should be eased by the fact that Anderson was the Angels’ everyday center fielder in 2000 and has played there sporadically during other seasons.

“You always like players to feel comfortable in their position,” Scioscia said, “but the reality of it is that doesn’t always happen. There are times you do have to move players and you don’t want to do it, but it’s probably something that you know is going to be important for the club.

“It’s not our preference [to have Anderson in left], but we have a lot of new dynamics on the club and we have to look at what’s going to make us the best club. Those are the moves we’re going to make.”

If the Angels’ spring training lineups are any indication of their plans for the regular season, Guillen has a slight edge. He has started the last four games in center, whereas Figgins has started three games at the position.

Guillen, a career right fielder who played center occasionally with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Oakland Athletics, said he doesn’t care where he plays “as long as I get my at-bats and play every day.”

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Troy Glaus suffered a sprained right ankle while rounding second base during the fifth inning of the Angels’ 5-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Tempe Diablo Stadium. The third baseman, moving from first base to third on Adam Kennedy’s single up the middle, fell to the ground but walked off the field and is listed as day-to-day.

“I can put pressure on it, that’s not a problem,” Glaus said as he limped toward his car in the stadium parking lot. “It’s just sore.”

Guerrero left the game in the first after sustaining a bruised right forearm when a pitch from Elmer Dessens hit him. He is not expected to sit out more than a day.

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Bartolo Colon was much more effective in his second spring outing than his first, givimg up one hit and one walk and striking out two in 3 2/3 innings. “The difference was my command and ability to make pitches,” Colon, who gave up two runs in two-thirds of an inning against Oakland in his first appearance, said through an interpreter.