Griffin appreciates double plays

The Angels started Tuesday leading the American League with 29 double plays in 26 games, but don’t expect to hear infield coach Alfredo Griffin bragging about it.

In fact, as long as the Angels defense continues churning along as it has, don’t expect to hear Griffin say much of anything.

“When we’re playing good, I don’t talk to the guys about it,” he said. “Because it’s natural. That’s natural ability that they’re using right there.”

That’s as good an explanation as any, especially considering the Angels have started three players at first base, three at second base and four at third base. The only constant has been shortstop Orlando Cabrera who, along with Gary Matthews Jr., are the only Angels to have started every game.

But Cabrera said he got comfortable with all the team’s infielders in spring training so the revolving doors elsewhere in the infield haven’t been a problem.

“We work hard to get to know everybody. And we know that the guys that we have on the bench, they’re [versatile] enough to play any position,” said Cabrera, the only regular shortstop in the majors to finish the first month of the season without an error. “The other guys have stepped up and done a great job. So I’m not worried about that. I know they can cover some ground and make some plays.”

Griffin, the starting shortstop on a Toronto Blue Jays team that led the league in double plays in 1980, agrees, but says much of the credit -- or blame -- should go to the Angels pitchers.

“The main thing in the double play is the pitching,” he said. “If the pitchers keep the ball down, that’s the only way the infielders can turn double plays.”

Another requisite, he said with a smile, is the opponents have to get runners on base.

“Either we were good,” Griffin said, reflecting on his time in Toronto, “or our pitchers were [bad].”

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With a league-best nine saves in April, Francisco Rodriguez is ahead of the pace he set last year when he topped the majors with a franchise-record 47.

“I’m looking to have a better year,” Rodriguez said. “I know that it’s not going to be easy. But I know if I get enough opportunities, I’ll have a great year.”

To do that, Rodriguez said he’ll have to make small adjustments to stay ahead of hitters who are becoming familiar with his approach. But, he added, he has learned how to read them too.

“He was about as consistent as any relief pitcher I’ve ever seen, especially a closer,” Manager Mike Scioscia said of 2006. “You couldn’t ask for much more. He certainly has the capability to repeat that. But the focus has to be pitch to pitch and game to game.”

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Infielder Maicer Izturis, sidelined since Sunday because of a tight right hamstring, could start one of the final two games of the trip, but Scioscia said left fielder Garret Anderson probably won’t play until the weekend, if then.

Anderson, out since Friday because of a right hip flexor injury, will be evaluated when the team returns to Anaheim this weekend and if he’s not 100% he could go on the disabled list.

“We have to look at a couple of things,” Scioscia said.

More likely would be another roster move, with the Angels demoting one of their 12 pitchers and recalling an outfielder.

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kevin.baxter@latimes.com