Grimsley’s Claim Doesn’t Register With Trio

Although Jason Grimsley told federal agents an equipment salesman distributed amphetamines within the Angels’ clubhouse in 1996, three players on that team said Friday they had no recollection of such an individual.

“The only ones that would probably recall that would be the ones who did it,” outfielder Garret Anderson said.

In an affidavit released this week, Grimsley acknowledged his use of steroids, amphetamines and human growth hormone. The affidavit included this sentence: “Grimsley stated that while he was with the California Angels, an individual who sold bats and gloves would come around the clubhouse with a supply of two-toned green amphetamines, or ‘greenies.’ ”

Grimsley pitched for the Angels in 1996. His teammates included Anderson, outfielder Tim Salmon and infielder Rex Hudler, now the Angels’ television analyst.

Under major league rules, representatives of equipment companies are granted access to clubhouses. Hudler and Salmon, like Anderson, said they could not recall any such representative offering amphetamines.

“I have no idea,” Salmon said. “Greenies aren’t my thing.”

However, Anderson said he could not rule out the possibility that amphetamines had been discreetly distributed within the clubhouse.

“You don’t walk around with a license plate on your head saying what you’re doing,” he said. “If you’re looking for that, you can find it.”

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Bartolo Colon agreed to make another minor league rehabilitation start “because he needed it,” pitching coach Bud Black said.

Although the Angels had planned for Colon to rejoin the rotation after two minor league starts, he’ll start Monday for triple-A Salt Lake. Black also said a fourth minor league start for Colon “is not out of the question by any means.”

Colon threw 47 pitches in four innings in his first start, 84 in 4 2/3 innings in his second. Manager Mike Scioscia said he wanted Colon to make 90 to 100 pitches on Monday and “get a little deeper into the game.”

If the Angels had activated Colon, the reigning Cy Young Award winner, they probably would have returned phenom Jered Weaver (3-0, 1.86 earned-run average) to Salt Lake. Scioscia said the Angels were not putting off a decision on whether to demote Weaver.

“When Bart’s ready to pitch, he’ll be in the rotation,” Scioscia said.

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Center fielder Darin Erstad, his rehabilitation assignment interrupted Monday by recurring irritation in his right ankle, returned to the Salt Lake lineup Thursday. Scioscia said he would remain there at least through the weekend. In 21 at-bats at Salt Lake, Erstad has two hits, both singles. He did not hit the ball out of the infield Friday.... Second baseman Howie Kendrick, who hit .115 in three weeks with the Angels, is hitting .414 at Salt Lake.... The Angels activated infielder Maicer Izturis and returned infielder Erick Aybar to Salt Lake.... Ed Munson worked his 2,000th consecutive game as the Angels’ official scorer Friday, a streak that started in 1980.