Donnelly Is Going for the Positive Spin

Brendan Donnelly gave up two home runs in 2003, an All-Star season in which he was 2-2 with a 1.58 earned-run average in 74 innings. Two appearances -- and three innings -- into 2005, Donnelly has given up two home runs, one of which cost the Angels a game against Texas on Wednesday night.

Reason to panic? Hardly, Donnelly said. Even though his fastball is a tick off from its usual 91-92 mph, the reliever is convinced all he needs is a little tuneup.

“From batting practice in spring training to games, you go to an extra gear, and from spring training to real games is another notch,” Donnelly said. “I’m just a hair off mechanically. My body is going a little too quick for my arm, and when that happens, my arm angle drops and my slider spins [instead of breaks].”

Donnelly, who gave up a two-run homer to Richard Hidalgo on Wednesday and a solo shot to Alfonso Soriano on Thursday, both on sliders, usually irons out such problems quickly. He said he thought his delivery began to click in the eighth inning Thursday, when he struck out Hidalgo and Adrian Gonzalez and got Gary Matthews to ground out.

“When my mechanics are perfect and I get right behind the ball, you might see my fastball go up another notch,” Donnelly said. “I’m ticked off it cost us the game, but I’m not worried about it.”

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A .200 spring batting average, a nagging hand injury, fan backlash for being the player to replace beloved shortstop David Eckstein, a foul pop to the catcher with the bases loaded in the eighth inning against Texas on Wednesday (which elicited boos in Angel Stadium) and an 0-for-6 start made for a rocky debut for Orlando Cabrera, who is also dealing with the expectations that come with a four-year, $32-million contract.

But two hits and a run in Thursday night’s 7-6 victory over the Rangers boosted Cabrera’s spirits.

“When you get that first hit out of the way, it’s like a release,” Cabrera said. “I’m not trying to emulate anyone or be better than anyone else. I was signed here for a reason, because of the way I play, not because I play like someone else.”

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Kelvim Escobar, on the disabled list because of a sprained right elbow, had a pain-free 10-minute bullpen workout Friday in which he threw all of his pitches at full strength. Escobar will throw another bullpen workout Monday and is scheduled to make a rehabilitation start for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga in Modesto on Thursday.

“I’m hoping to need just one rehab start before coming back,” Escobar said. “But if I’m not 100%, if I need more time, I’ll be honest with them.”