Izturis Out for at Least a Week

The play might not have been dirty, but it was costly. In the wake of Wednesday’s collision with Oakland outfielder Jay Payton, Angel infielder Maicer Izturis is expected to sit out at least a week and probably more because of a deep bruise to his right leg.

When the Angels benched Steve Finley this week, they moved Chone Figgins to center field and installed Izturis and Robb Quinlan as the third base platoon.

Quinlan, who has 12 hits in 25 at-bats (including two home runs and three doubles) since returning from triple-A Salt Lake, will play third base every day for now.

“We’ll ride that out,” Manager Mike Scioscia said

Izturis suffered the injury when he tried to stretch a single into a double after noticing second base was not covered. Payton sprinted in from center field, sliding feet-first toward the base and tagging out Izturis, who slid head-first. Payton spiked Izturis on his left arm, and his knee slammed into Izturis’ right leg. Izturis and Scioscia said Thursday the play was not dirty.

An MRI examination Friday ruled out a torn ligament or tendon, which would have ended Izturis’ season. He was diagnosed with a deep contusion to the right quadriceps and is expected to miss “a minimum of seven to 10 days,” Angel spokesman Larry Babcock said.

The Angels added an infielder by promoting Zach Sorensen from triple-A Salt Lake. To replace Sorensen at Salt Lake, the Angels promoted shortstop Brandon Wood from Class-A Rancho Cucamonga. Wood leads the minor leagues with 43 home runs, a record for Angel minor leaguers.

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The Angels had mixed reactions to Deion Sanders’ call for every pro athlete to donate $1,000 to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

“It’s not a bad idea. I don’t think there’s anybody who plays professional sports who can’t afford it,” pitcher Jarrod Washburn said. “It would definitely go to a good cause.”

Said catcher Josh Paul, the Angels’ player representative: “Why take credit? Just get it done and don’t worry about who gets the credit.”

The commissioner’s office and the players’ union have joined to donate $1 million to the Red Cross. Baseball officials hope to raise another $2 million through appeals at the ballpark, on team websites and on radio and television broadcasts.

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Kelvim Escobar made his final rehabilitation start Friday, giving up one run over six innings for Salt Lake. He struck out eight, walked one and made 74 pitches. He is expected to rejoin the Angels this weekend, perhaps as a reliever.... Garret Anderson’s double in the first inning was his 644th extra-base hit, passing Tim Salmon and setting a franchise record .... The Angels released left-hander Tim Bittner, one of the prospects acquired from the Chicago White Sox in the 2003 trade for reliever Scott Schoeneweis. Bittner went 1-7 with a 6.27 earned-run average at double-A Arkansas.