Finley Hampered by Shoulder Injury

Steve Finley revealed Tuesday that he has played virtually the entire season with an inflamed right shoulder, an injury that has contributed significantly to the center fielder’s offensive struggles -- he’s batting .225 with a .287 on-base percentage -- and was treated with cortisone Tuesday night.

Asked what part of his game the injury affected most, Finley, who sat out Tuesday’s game against the Texas Rangers and is expected to sit out tonight’s game, as well, said, “Everything.”

But Finley, whose production -- he has eight home runs and ranks second on the team with 39 runs batted in -- belies his average, refused to use the injury as an excuse.

“It’s a game of adjustments, and I didn’t make good adjustments,” Finley said. “I haven’t been able to drive the ball like I should. I’ve showed flashes, but I’ve been inconsistent. It affects my bat speed. I feel like I’ve missed pitches I got to before. I’ve driven in some runs, but I’m not as productive as I should be.”

Finley, who has 39 strikeouts and 19 walks in 240 at-bats, has been a frequent target on message boards, with fans ripping the Angels for making a two-year, $14-million investment in the 40-year-old outfielder, but knowing he was hurt didn’t make the criticism any harder to swallow.

“I’ll take my punishment, it’s well-deserved,” Finley said. “I won’t use this as an excuse.”

Finley suffered the injury in the second game of the season, against Texas in Angel Stadium, when he ran into a wall “a little weird,” he said. “I’ve felt it ever since.... As you can tell, I’m not being very productive, and it’s been as frustrating for me as it’s been for anyone else. I figured, let’s get this taken care of, because we’re not doing anyone any good now.”

Finley said he underwent an MRI test several weeks ago “that showed nothing major.” With the cortisone injection, tonight off and an off day Thursday, Finley hopes the inflammation will subside to a point where he can play Friday night against the Dodgers. He does not anticipate going on the disabled list.

But with Finley and shortstop Orlando Cabrera (elbow inflammation) out for at least a few days, and the Angels expected to be short-handed as early as this weekend, when reliever Brendan Donnelly is expected to begin his suspension, it will be difficult for the Angels to carry two injured players during Donnelly’s absence.

Manager Mike Scioscia said he will replace a position player with a reliever on the roster when Donnelly begins his suspension, “because I don’t want to compromise the health of our pitchers.” That means Cabrera or Finley might land on the DL.

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Cabrera, whose elbow was so sore Monday morning that he could “barely lift” his arm, said he felt the same Tuesday. The shortstop underwent treatment and is not expected back until Friday, at the earliest.... Kelvim Escobar, on the DL because of a bone spur in his elbow, threw his third bullpen session, this one “with a little more effort.” Escobar is expected to progress to a simulated game Friday and could begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment next week.... Ranger shortstop Michael Young, who is hitting .316 with eight homers and 34 RBIs, returned to Texas for the birth of his first child. Young will sit out tonight’s series finale against the Angels.