This ‘No’ News Is Good News

Doctors continue to perform tests to determine the source of neck, upper-back and shoulder pain that has plagued Garret Anderson but have ruled out rheumatoid arthritis, a potentially debilitating disorder that could have significantly shortened the center fielder’s career.

Though treatable with medication, rheumatoid arthritis is typically chronic and can affect many joints, causing pain, stiffness, warmth, redness and swelling. Doctors also have ruled out such possibilities as a nerve disorder, damage to the central nervous system, a vascular problem or structural damage to the spine.

“They’ve ruled out a ton of things,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “Some of the things they’ve ruled out are reassuring, but I think the frustrating part is not coming up with a definitive diagnosis to this point and seeing a timeframe of Garret being able to get back into the lineup.”

Anderson was hitting .339 when he went on the disabled list April 22.

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The loss of Anderson and designated hitter Tim Salmon, who is on the disabled list because of irritation in his left knee, has been alleviated to a large degree by the productivity of the middle of the order. Vladimir Guerrero, Troy Glaus and Jose Guillen have been three of the hottest hitters in the American League over the last couple of weeks, helping to propel the Angels to the best record in baseball.

Glaus, tied for the major league lead with 10 homers, has homered in three of his last six games. Guillen has homered in three of five games and Guerrero is hitting .421 over his last 13 games.

“To have Guerrero, Glaus and Guillen as productive as they are is really the whole reason we’ve been able to keep any continuity,” Scioscia said. “They’re knocking in runs and scoring runs, and when you’re doing that you’re making everybody around you better.”

Guillen, the only Angel to play in every game, credited Chone Figgins and Darin Erstad getting on base ahead of him and Bengie Molina hitting behind him as big reasons for the success enjoyed by the middle of the order.

“It’s been great lately,” said Guillen, batting a league-best .500 with runners in scoring position. “We’ve been playing as a team and doing the sort of thing we need to do to score runs.”

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The Angels are targeting their series with the New York Yankees on May 18-20 at Angel Stadium as a hopeful return date for Salmon. He has resumed swinging a bat and is expected to complete a minor league rehabilitation assignment next week before rejoining the Angels.