Vladimir Guerrero, still on DL, shows ‘encouraging’ signs

There has been speculation that the torn chest muscle that sent Vladimir Guerrero to the disabled list April 18 will sideline him for much more than a month, with one Internet report claiming the injury can knock out NFL offensive linemen for entire seasons.

“We’re fortunate Vlad doesn’t have to block 325-pound defensive linemen,” General Manager Tony Reagins said, dismissing such speculation. “The reports on Vlad have been positive. He’s gaining more strength and flexibility in the area. That’s all encouraging.”

Guerrero, who injured the muscle on the left side of his chest, accompanied the Angels on the road and ran the bases and did agility drills before Tuesday’s game.

Manager Mike Scioscia said the slugger was expected to resume baseball activities when the Angels return home May 6.

Though the Angels scored 43 runs in six games on their last homestand, an average of 7.2 runs, they know they’ll need their cleanup batter to win their fifth American League West title in six years.

“Just having his name in the lineup changes a pitcher’s whole thought process,” center fielder Torii Hunter said. “What he can do, what he’s done in the past, scares a pitcher.”

Rehab report

Ervin Santana (sprained right elbow ligament) is scheduled to throw 45 to 50 pitches over three innings in an extended spring training game in Arizona today. John Lackey (strained right forearm) is scheduled for a similar workout Thursday.

Barring setback, the Angels’ top two pitchers probably will move their rehabilitation assignments to Class-A Rancho Cucamonga next week.

Darren Oliver (strained left triceps) threw a bullpen session, and said he is “feeling better every day.” Oliver is expected to be ready when he is eligible to come off the DL Monday.

Kelvim Escobar, who suffered a setback in his recovery from shoulder surgery, also threw a bullpen workout but no schedule has been set for him to resume his rehab assignment.

Dustin Moseley, on the DL because of tightness in his right forearm, is scheduled to resume throwing today.

Special guests

The father of Nick Adenhart, the 22-year-old Angels pitcher killed in an April 9 traffic accident, and about 30 of the pitcher’s family members and friends attended Tuesday night’s game in Camden Yards as guests of the Angels and Baltimore Orioles.

Scioscia met with Jim Adenhart, Nick’s father, and Nick’s grandparents at the team hotel Tuesday afternoon. Adenhart grew up in Williamsport, Md., about 80 miles west of Baltimore.

“It was good to see them,” Scioscia said. “Obviously, they’re trying to move forward one day at a time. I’m happy that they’re feeling good enough to come out and watch a ballgame. Hopefully, it moves them ahead one more day.”

Short hops

Hunter’s strikeout with Bobby Abreu on second base in the third inning Tuesday night dropped his average to .105 (two for 19) with runners in scoring position this season. His run-scoring groundout in the fifth inning made him .100 (two for 20) with runners in scoring position, but he leads the team in home runs (seven) and runs batted in (15). . . . Nick Markakis singled in the first inning Tuesday night, extending the Orioles right fielder’s hitting streak to 15 games.

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mike.digiovanna@latimes.com