Erstad’s Role Might Decrease

Darin Erstad is not in jeopardy of losing his center-field job. The Angel veteran has won two Gold Glove awards as an outfielder, and as Manager Mike Scioscia said, any lineup changes will be made “with a priority on defensive continuity.”

But if Tim Salmon continues to rake as he has this spring -- the 37-year-old hit a prodigious home run in the Angels’ 7-6 exhibition loss to San Diego on Tuesday -- and if Juan Rivera shows he is capable in center field, Erstad may find himself on the bench more than he’s used to, especially against left-handers.

“I’m all about what gives us the best chance to win, and if I’m not performing and someone can do better, I’m all for it,” said Erstad, who singled twice and is batting .308. “We have good depth.

Erstad struggled in 2005, batting .273 with seven home runs, 66 runs batted in and 109 strikeouts in 609 at-bats, and he hit only .232 against left-handers, showing a vulnerability to low-and-away sliders. He has adjusted his stance a bit this spring, moving closer to the plate so he can better reach the outside pitch.

Rivera, a reserve outfielder-designated hitter, was one of the Angels’ most productive hitters late last season, batting .308 with five homers and 25 RBIs from Aug. 1 on. Rivera normally plays the corners, but the Angels have been working him into center field this week in hopes of increasing his versatility.

Salmon, who has all but locked up a roster spot in his return from shoulder and knee surgery, is batting .326 with three home runs, including a first-inning blast that cleared the second wall behind the left-field fence in Tempe Diablo Stadium.

By starting Rivera in center field and Salmon at DH, Scioscia could get two potentially strong right-handed bats in the lineup, and considering how much the Angels struggled to score in 2005, the manager may be more willing to sacrifice some defense for the sake of offense in 2006.

“It gives us a lot of options if [Rivera] can play center field,” Scioscia said. “He’s working with Ron [Roenicke, Angel bench coach] to get better acclimated. He’s running better, he’s surprising us with his range, and he throws well. We’re going to take a look at him.”

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Ervin Santana gave up three runs and five hits, including home runs by Josh Barfield and Adrian Gonzalez, and struck out seven in 5 1/3 innings, pushing his pitch count to 100. Brendan Donnelly threw a scoreless eighth. The Padres won with three runs in the ninth, a rally that was aided by two misplayed grounders.

Vladimir Guerrero had three hits and three RBIs and is batting .500 this spring, and Chone Figgins had three hits and is batting .346.

Scioscia said Garret Anderson’s strained left arch was “a little stiff” Tuesday after Anderson started in left field Sunday and Monday. But Anderson is expected to play today and Thursday, and Scioscia said he should play enough in this weekend’s Freeway Series to be ready to start Monday’s season opener.

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The city of Anaheim could pay more than $10 million to cover the costs of its lawsuit against the Angels. The two law firms retained to represent Anaheim have billed the city $3.6 million, City Atty. Jack White said. After an Orange County Superior Court jury found the Angels’ name change did not violate their stadium lease, as the city charged, Angel owner Arte Moreno said he would ask the court to order the city to reimburse the team for its legal expenses, estimated at $7 million. The Angels have not yet filed such a request. ... Relievers Jason Bulger and Scott Dunn were reassigned to minor league camp.

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Staff writer Bill Shaikin contributed to this report.