Erstad Might Be Facing Surgery

The day Darin Erstad had been dreading finally came. The Angels center fielder met with Dr. Lewis Yocum during Saturday night’s game to discuss surgical options for his injured right ankle, a strong indication that Erstad’s season -- and, most likely, his Angels career -- is over.

Erstad, limited to 27 games this season because of an inflamed ankle joint and two bone spurs, has undergone weeks of therapy, been injected with four cortisone shots and fitted with two orthotics devices. Nothing has alleviated the searing pain he feels every time his right foot hits the ground, even while jogging.

“The bottom line is I have to be able to run and be close to 100% to play my game and be effective,” said Erstad, in the final year of a four-year, $32-million contract. “It’s not happening right now.”

Erstad, 32, who has played in only five games since April 30, was so determined to return this season that for weeks he refused to even say the word “surgery,” let alone consider it as an option. But after another painful attempt to run lightly in the outfield Saturday afternoon, the reality of his situation was clear.

“I’ve been focused so much on getting back on the field and being productive now, but we need to get this thing fixed,” Erstad said. “I’m not conceding yet, but we need to start talking about those options. You do the math, look at how many games we have left, and it gets pretty grim. I need to get this thing right.”

There had been speculation before Erstad was injured that this would be his last season in Anaheim. If he undergoes season-ending surgery, Erstad, who will always be remembered for having caught the last out of the 2002 World Series, may have played his last game as an Angel. But by undergoing surgery this summer, Erstad would increase his chances of being ready for 2007.

“That’s starting to come into the picture a bit,” Erstad said.

In the meantime, Erstad continues to hit and throw “to keep my muscles in shape, in case of a miracle.”

*

Garret Anderson’s tight left hamstring acted up again, so Manager Mike Scioscia started Anderson at designated hitter instead of left field.

Asked if Anderson, slowed by foot, hamstring and lower-back injuries this season, might become a regular DH, Scioscia said, “We’ll do what we have to do ... but I hope not.”

*

Although second baseman Howie Kendrick was playing two games a week at third base for triple-A Salt Lake before being recalled Friday, the Angels aren’t comfortable enough with Kendrick to start him at third in a big league game.

“That would probably be a lesser option” than second base, Scioscia said. “We would look at that only if we really wanted to get his bat in the lineup.”

*

Reliever Brendan Donnelly no longer has a pain in the back of his neck. After three trips to a chiropractor, the right-hander said he is throwing with no pain.