McPherson Likely to Be Activated

Third baseman Dallas McPherson hit a home run in one of his three at-bats for triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday and was en route from Tucson to Anaheim on Sunday night.

No roster move was announced after the Angels’ 7-6 loss to the Athletics, but McPherson, who suffered a herniated disk in his lower back in early March, is expected to be activated for tonight’s game against the Seattle Mariners.

In 10 games for Salt Lake, McPherson batted .324 with three home runs and 14 runs batted in, and he looked more and more comfortable on defense last week. McPherson, who batted .317 with 40 homers and 126 RBIs for double-A Arkansas and Salt Lake last season, had a grand slam, a double and five RBIs Saturday night against Tucson.

The Angels were expected to demote a utility player, either Lou Merloni or Maicer Izturis, or possibly third catcher Josh Paul to make room for McPherson, but after Bengie Molina suffered a strained muscle in his right thigh Sunday, it’s possible the catcher could be placed on the disabled list, creating a roster spot.

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Seattle right fielder Ichiro Suzuki, who set a major league record with 262 hits last season, is batting .447 with 21 hits in 12 games, and that got Angel first baseman Darin Erstad thinking.

What if the 31-year-old Suzuki, who had 1,278 hits in nine 135-game seasons in Japan before signing with the Mariners in 2000, had played his entire career in the U.S., where he had 924 hits, an average of 231 a year, in his first four seasons? Could he have broken Pete Rose’s record of 4,256 hits?

At his current pace, Suzuki would have to play about 18 1/2 seasons to reach Rose’s mark.

“Do the math,” Erstad said. “He’s shown he’s one of the best hitters in the history of the game, and he’ll only get better. I think he has a legitimate shot of hitting .400 because of his speed. He gets those extra hits most guys don’t get.”

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Tony Reagins, the Angels’ director of player development, said Cuban defector Kendry Morales was “in the final stages” of gaining citizenship in the Dominican Republic, a prerequisite to securing the passport the 21-year-old slugger needs to travel to the United States. Morales, who signed a six-year contract with the Angels, has been stuck in the Dominican since August.

ON DECK

Opponent -- Seattle Mariners, two games.

Site -- Angel Stadium.

TV -- FSN West, both games.

Radio -- 710, 1020.

Records -- Angels 6-6, Mariners 6-6.

2004 record vs. Mariners -- 13-7.

Tonight, 7 -- Paul Byrd (0-2, 6.92) vs. Aaron Sele (1-0, 3.75)

Tuesday, 1 p.m. -- Kevin Gregg (1-0, 5.40) vs. Jamie Moyer (2-0, 2.50).

Tickets -- (714) 663-9000.