DaVanon Is Seeking a Designated Role

He followed his breakout 2003 season with another solid year, making the most of limited playing time, but Jeff DaVanon still is fighting for at-bats.

That’s the way it’s going to be when you’re an outfielder in an organization that signs Vladimir Guerrero and Jose Guillen one season, then brings in Steve Finley and Juan Rivera the next.

Acknowledging the obvious frustration, DaVanon said he realized he was only an injury away from significant playing time. And this season, for the first time, DaVanon could be used as the designated hitter.

“They haven’t had any conversations with me, as far as whether I’m vying for it,” said DaVanon, who had a single in three at-bats Friday during the Angels’ 6-4 victory over the San Diego Padres at Peoria Stadium. “But I look on paper and I hope I would be considered for it.”

DaVanon, who in 108 games last season batted .277 with seven homers and 34 runs batted in and became the fourth Angel to hit for the cycle, will compete for the DH spot with Rivera, Robb Quinlan and possibly Kendry Morales.

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The reaction among Angel players to the Jered Weaver situation seems to mirror public opinion -- they can’t understand why the former Long Beach State ace would reject offers of either a $4-million bonus up front or a $5.25-million major league package over five years.

“Sign and play, that’s the way I look at it,” said Brendan Donnelly, who spent 10 seasons in the minor leagues before becoming an All-Star reliever. “Who knows if he can get big-league hitters out? He’s unproven, and until he comes and starts proving himself, no one’s going to know what he’s worth.”

Agent Scott Boras is convinced he does. Weaver went 15-1 with a 1.65 earned-run average, 201 strikeouts and 19 walks in 136 innings last season, winning college-player-of-the-year honors and the Golden Spikes Award.

Boras, who sought an $8-million deal for Weaver, said the Angels’ $5.25-million offer was misleading because Weaver could lose $1.6 million of it if he were to reach the major leagues this season.

In the major league deal, a $4-million bonus would be prorated over five years, giving Weaver $800,000 a year.

However, according to Boras, if Weaver pitches three years in the big leagues and accepts salary arbitration, he would have to void his bonus payments in the last year or two of the deal.

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Paul Byrd could get used to this. The right-hander pitched two scoreless innings in his Angel debut before Francisco Rodriguez set down the only three batters he faced in his first spring inning. “I’ll have no problem turning the ball over to him,” Byrd said of the new Angel closer.... Orlando Cabrera said the soreness in his throwing arm that has prevented him from playing shortstop in the Angels’ first two Cactus League games was something he normally experienced this time of year but rarely kept him out of spring training games. Cabrera predicted a return by today.... Dallas McPherson (back stiffness) and Jose Molina (strained side muscle) were scratched from the lineup but are expected to return soon.

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Times staff writer Mike DiGiovanna contributed to this report.