They Didn’t Ask for Relief

Perhaps concerned with overworking his setup man and closer, Manager Mike Scioscia gave Scot Shields and Francisco Rodriguez the night off against the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday.

And while both had worked four of the previous five games -- all Angel wins in which Shields had the hold and Rodriguez picked up the save -- Rodriguez was less than thrilled with the prospect of an off-night.

“I already had my vacation when I went on the DL,” said Rodriguez, who was on the disabled list for the first time in his career from May 15 to June 1 with a strain in his right forearm. “I feel fine where I am right now.”

Rodriguez said Scioscia approached him with the idea of sitting out Tuesday after he picked up his 21st save, in 23 opportunities, Monday night.

“I told [Scioscia], ‘I don’t want a day off,’ but I have to do what he says so I’ll just do my regular work.”

With Rodriguez in his first year replacing Troy Percival as the closer, Scioscia does not want to burn him out.

“His stuff’s been good,” Scioscia said, “but his command is getting back to where it was earlier in the year.”

Said Rodriguez, who is 2-1 with a 1.96 earned-run average and 52 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings: “Last year, I proved I could pitch every single day. I’ve been through that already. When you’re physically and mentally ready, you can throw five, six, seven days in a row.

“The more I pitch, the better I feel.”

Shields entered Tuesday leading American League relievers in innings pitched (58) and strikeouts (67).

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Dallas McPherson, on the disabled list since July 8 because of inflammation of the left hip, jogged and took ground balls Tuesday, though the rookie third baseman could not put a timetable on when he could begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment.

“The ultimate goal is to add one thing every day and not be sore,” McPherson said.

McPherson, who turns 25 on Saturday, is eligible to come off the disabled list Friday.

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Cuban refugee Kendry Morales is batting .264 with four home runs and 18 runs batted in for double-A Arkansas in 29 games. Morales, who defected from Cuba last summer and signed with the Angels as a free agent in December, had hit .344 with five homers and 17 RBIs in 22 games at Class-A Rancho Cucamonga.

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Men of steal

Chone Figgins of the Angels has stolen three bases in the last two games to move into a tie for second among American League stolen base leaders.

1. Scott Podsednik, White Sox...48

2. (tie) Figgins, ANGELS...30

Carl Crawford, Devil Rays...30

4. Julio Lugo, Devil Rays...27

5. Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners...22