Matthews focuses on the game

Center field at game time has always been something of a sanctuary for Gary Matthews Jr., a “welcome relief from the real world,” he said in February, and never has that been more apparent than this week.

Linked to an investigation into the sale of performance-enhancing drugs Tuesday and the subject of a report Wednesday alleging he received a 2004 shipment of human growth hormone, Matthews found refuge with the start of exhibition play.

Friday, the Angels’ new center fielder provided a nice distraction from a controversial week, launching a home run to center to spark a five-run fifth inning in the Angels’ 9-6 Cactus League victory over the Chicago Cubs.

Vladimir Guerrero and Chone Figgins each had two-run homers in the fifth, and Figgins had three hits. Starter Joe Saunders gave up one run and one hit in two innings. Matthews also made a nice running catch of an Alfonso Soriano drive to the gap in left-center.

“The game will draw your focus, and when he’s playing the game, that’s all he thinks about,” Manager Mike Scioscia said of Matthews. “He’ll be ready.”

Going to the mat

News of Matthews’ link to steroids hit hard, and not just in the Angels clubhouse.

“It was a shock,” said Cubs second baseman Mark DeRosa, a teammate of Matthews at Texas in 2005 and 2006. “Obviously, I don’t know enough facts to comment. I just know he’s a great human being, a great guy, a great teammate. You hate to see his image get tarnished by something like this.”

DeRosa said Matthews, who signed a $50-million deal in November, was strong enough mentally to handle the distractions. What Matthews can’t control is how he will be perceived by fans.

“Hopefully the facts come out, he had nothing to do with this, and it all blows over,” DeRosa said. “But it’s going to be tough to change the opinions of millions of people who just know you by what they read.”

Minimum wage

The unilateral renewal of contracts has caused friction between the Angels and some young players -- Jarrod Washburn criticized the front office after John Lackey and Shawn Wooten were renewed in 2003.

“People wonder why players leave for different teams,” Washburn said at the time. “Why would you show loyalty when they don’t treat you well while you’re young?”

Jered Weaver and Saunders were both renewed Friday, forced to accept the major league minimum salary of $380,000 after they failed to come to terms, but neither seemed upset.

“It didn’t bother me,” said Weaver, who went 11-2 with a 2.56 earned-run average last season. “I’m just happy to have a spot,”

Said Saunders: “I didn’t take it as a slap. I was only up in the big leagues for two months last year. I’m just happy to be here.”

Good Wood

Top prospect Brandon Wood, who is moving from shortstop to third base, made a spectacular play in the ninth inning, back-handing Ronny Cedeno’s bad-hop shot down the line and making a strong throw to first for the out.... Lackey, expected to be the Angels’ opening-day starter, was scratched from today’s start against Colorado because of strep throat and replaced by Hector Carrasco.

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mike.digiovanna@latimes.com