Little by Little, DiSarcina Makes Steady Improvement

Shortstop Gary DiSarcina fielded ground balls for a second consecutive day Sunday, the first tangible step toward returning from a broken bone in his left forearm.

DiSarcina, expected to be out until the All-Star break, spent 10 minutes fielding easy grounders from coach Larry Bowa before batting practice. It was the first baseball-type workout for DiSarcina since he was struck on the left arm by a fungo bat Feb. 21.

“Before, I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel,” DiSarcina said. “It’s been five months since I’ve been out there. I felt a little strange, but it’s good to see how [I’m] progressing.”

It likely won’t be at an accelerated pace. DiSarcina is wary of pushing himself too fast too soon.

“In about a week to 10 days, I’m going to have the itch to swing the bat,” DiSarcina said. “I can swing a bat right now, but I don’t have any strength. We haven’t reached the point where we can go, ‘This will be the next step.’ Right now I just want to get healthy. I don’t want to do anything that will set me back.”

DiSarcina said he is examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum almost daily. He also undergoes stretching exercises and whirlpool treatments. Pretty dull stuff, which is why being on the field the last two days excited DiSarcina.

“It was fun to go out there and do something related to baseball skills,” DiSarcina said. “It was a good way to break up the monotony.”

*

Mo Vaughn, relegated to designated hitter since returning from an ankle injury, said he hoped to return to first base Tuesday, when the Angels play at Detroit. “When you play the field, you have to have the feeling that your instincts can take over,” Vaughn said. “We’re close to that point.”

Good thing too.

“I don’t really like being the designated hitter,” Vaughn said. “It’s a little easier here because of the facility. I can go hit in between at-bats. But I’ve been sitting on the bench too much.”

*

Garret Anderson’s seventh-inning home run was his second in three games and fifth this season.

“We know G.A. is a .300 hitter and if he starts hitting some home runs, there is no telling how many runs he will drive in,” Manager Terry Collins said.

Of course, Anderson’s tutor is a little wary of all this long-ball talk.

“Power numbers are deceiving,” Angel hitting instructor Rod Carew said. “Garret can drive the ball, but that is not his role. I’d rather he be a consistent hitter and a clutch hitter.”

TODAY

ANGELS’

TIM BELCHER

(1-1, 9.13 ERA)

vs.

WHITE SOX’S

JOHN SNYDER

(3-1, 1.88 ERA)

Edison Field, 1 p.m.

* Radio--KLAC 570, XPRS 1090.

* Tickets--(714) 663-9000.

* Update--Belcher has gone more than 4 2/3 innings only once in five starts. If there is a silver lining it’s that Belcher went 0-3 with a 5.40 ERA in April a year ago while pitching for the Kansas City Royals. He finished 14-14. He is 13-23 lifetime in April before this season.