Open-and-Shut Case for Colon

From the start of Cactus League play in early March, Manager Mike Scioscia aligned his rotation so Bartolo Colon would pitch tonight’s season opener against Texas, and it wasn’t only because the right-hander is the closest thing the Angels have to an ace on a staff that for years has lacked a dominant starter.

Colon has a 3-1 record and 2.67 earned-run average in four career opening-day starts, including a five-hit shutout of the Angels for Cleveland in 2002 and a six-inning shutout of Seattle for the Angels in 2004, and he went 6-0 with a 2.14 ERA against the Rangers last season.

“Even though there’s a lot of emphasis on opening day, the calmer I stay, the more I stay focused,” Colon said through an interpreter. “There’s a lot going on with opening-day ceremonies, with [longer] introductions, but my experience in the past has helped me stay focused in these situations.”

As for Colon’s success against the Rangers -- he has a 12-5 career record and 3.63 ERA against Texas -- that’s tougher to explain. The Rangers had one of baseball’s best lineups in 2004, a collection of young sluggers that ranked third in the American League in home runs, fourth in doubles and fourth in runs, but Colon had little trouble suppressing Texas bats.

“I don’t know why I was able to do that,” Colon said. “One thing I do know is I have a lot of respect for those hitters because they’ve gotten to me at times. Last year is last year. I’ve got to start a new chapter this year against the Rangers and every other team.”

Colon also rewrote his winter workout regimen, running the hills around his home in the Dominican Republic and exercising with a personal trainer far earlier than he has in past winters. He reduced his body fat and increased leg strength, and outside of a brief bout with lower-back spasms, Colon looked strong, with a 2.21 ERA in 20 1/3 spring innings.

“There were times when I didn’t help the team last year, and I took that really hard,” said Colon, who went 6-8 with a 6.38 ERA while coping with a left-ankle injury before the All-Star break, and 12-4 with a 3.63 ERA afterward.

“So I convinced myself I’d come to spring training ready to start the season. ... My legs are at a point where they’re stronger than they were at any time last year. I’m not thinking about my landing spot, things that are going to affect my release.”

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Second baseman Adam Kennedy will return to Arizona on Sunday to continue his rehabilitation from right knee surgery. Kennedy will begin hitting in extended spring training games next week and will increase his defensive load as his knee will permit. The Angels are targeting early May for his return. ... Baseball America has rated the Angels first and the Dodgers second among 30 organizations in its rankings of minor league talent.

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ON DECK

Opponent -- Texas Rangers, three games.

Site -- Angel Stadium.

TV -- FSNW all three games.

Radio -- 710, 1020.

2004 records -- Angels 92-70, Rangers 89-73.

2004 record vs. Rangers -- 9-10.

Tonight, 7 -- Bartolo Colon (18-12, 5.01) vs. Ryan Drese (14-10, 4.20).

Wednesday, 7 p.m. -- Jarrod Washburn (11-8, 4.64) vs. Kenny Rogers (18-9, 4.76).

Thursday, 7 p.m. -- John Lackey (14-13, 4.67) vs. Chris Young (3-2, 4.71).

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

BARTOLO COLON

vs.

RANGERS’

RYAN DRESE

*--* THE MATCHUPS 2004 2004 VS OPP TEAMS/PITCHERS W-L ERA TEAM W-L IP ERA ANGELS/Colon (R) 18-12 5.01 21-13 6-0 42.0 2.14 Texas/Drese (R) 14-10 4.20 20-13 2-0 13.2 1.98

*--*

Update -- One of baseball’s most prolific offensive infields -- third baseman Hank Blalock, shortstop Michael Young, second baseman Alfonso Soriano and first baseman Mark Teixeira -- returns for Texas, but the Rangers have a new center fielder in Gary Matthews Jr., who beat out Laynce Nix, and a new designated hitter in 22-year-old slugger Adrian Gonzalez. Nix, who started 99 games in center last season, will open at triple-A. Soriano is still feeling the lingering effects of a hamstring injury that sidelined him last September. Starting pitcher Pedro Astacio (groin) is on the disabled list, and the Texas bullpen will be without setup man Frank Francisco, who is on the DL because of an elbow injury, and Carlos Almanzar, who returned to the Dominican Republic after the death of his mother. New Angel shortstop Orlando Cabrera is expected to start despite a bone bruise in his right hand, but Manager Mike Scioscia will probably move third baseman Robb Quinlan to sixth in the order and drop Cabrera to seventh. The Angels will raise their 2004 American League West championship flag during a pregame ceremony.

Tickets -- (714) 663-9000.

-- Mike DiGiovanna