DH might be out of a job soon

Garret Anderson is expected to be activated from the disabled list as early as Monday, and Shea Hillenbrand doesn’t have to be hit in the head with his .238 average to know he’s about to lose his everyday designated hitter job.

“I’m not blind,” Hillenbrand said.

Nor will he be blind with rage. Hillenbrand has clashed with previous managers over playing time, but it appears he will take this demotion in stride.

The Angels have given Hillenbrand every chance to snap out of his season-long funk, starting him in 42 of 56 games -- he sat out five games in April because of a tight groin -- but Hillenbrand’s average never rose above .239 in May, and his power (three home runs, five doubles, 17 runs batted in this season) has been negligible.

“All I can control is preparing myself every day to put myself in the best position to succeed,” said Hillenbrand, who averaged 18 homers and 82 RBIs over the past five seasons. Manager Mike Scioscia “knows that,” he said. “Any role he needs me to fill, I will.”

That’s why Hillenbrand has been taking ground balls at first and third base recently. His best chance to play could be in some kind of first-base platoon with Casey Kotchman or at third, the position he came up to the big leagues playing.

Scioscia has made it clear that left fielder Reggie Willits, who seized the leadoff spot in Anderson’s absence, will remain in the lineup, so when Anderson returns, Scioscia probably will rotate Anderson, Vladimir Guerrero and Willits through the two corner outfield spots and the DH spot, with center fielder Gary Matthews getting an occasional start at DH.

“Reggie is as much a contributor to our offensive turnaround as anyone,” Scioscia said, “and we’re excited about what he’s brought to the top of the lineup.”

Hillenbrand could play first against left-handers, and if Chone Figgins continues to struggle at third, the Angels might consider Hillenbrand there.

“I take a lot of pride in my defense, and that’s definitely an option in my game,” Hillenbrand said. “I feel I’m an average to above-average defender at either position.”

The Angels would like Hillenbrand to become an average to above-average hitter.

“He knows he’s a better hitter, and we know he’s a better hitter,” Scioscia said. “When it comes time for decisions, sometimes things happen quickly. In his case, no decision has been made. We’re just hoping he plays to his potential.”

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Reliever Justin Speier, who missed all of May because of an intestinal infection, will pitch in back-to-back games for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga today and Sunday, and if he doesn’t suffer any setbacks, he could be activated within a week.

Speier, who had a 1.69 earned-run average in 15 games for the Angels, gave up one hit and walked one in a scoreless inning for Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday night.

“Pitching-wise, I didn’t feel that far off,” he said. “I’m getting back into a regular work routine, building up my endurance. Hopefully, I’ll be back soon.”

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Maicer Izturis (irritation in right hamstring) has been taking ground balls and should be ready to be activated when he is eligible to come off the DL Tuesday.... The Angels optioned Kendry Morales to triple-A Salt Lake after the game to make room for left-hander Joe Saunders, who joined the team Friday and will start in place of the injured Bartolo Colon tonight.... Anderson went one for two with a single and a walk for Rancho Cucamonga as the designated hitter against High Desert.

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mike.digiovanna@latimes.com