Anderson Avoids Rushing His Return

TEMPE, Ariz. —  Even though the tendinitis in his biceps is improving to the point where Garret Anderson expects a return to the field “pretty soon,” the Angel center fielder said Friday that he would not rush back to play.

“I would love to be out there, playing, like everybody else,” Anderson said, “but if it’s getting better, I’ll be patient and not have to try to play catch-up all season. I’d rather miss some time down here than miss it during the season.”

Anderson, who first felt the tendinitis near his right (nonthrowing) shoulder March 4 and has also experienced swelling in both hands, said he has felt better since taking a couple of days off earlier this week to undergo testing that confirmed the initial diagnosis. The All-Star has resumed running the last three days and is receiving treatment that includes stretching and massage therapy.

“I don’t have a date set for when I want to play,” Anderson said. “As time goes on, I’m starting to feel better, so I know I’ll be back on the field pretty soon.”

Anderson said he did not feel frustrated because he saw adequate progress and was not concerned that his injury would hamper contract negotiations.

“I’m not worried about that,” Anderson said of his contract, which expires after this season. “That takes care of itself when it takes care of itself.”

Manager Mike Scioscia has not told Anderson he might open the season in his more-familiar left field position if he does not return by a certain date, so Anderson is still preparing to roam center between corner outfielders Vladimir Guerrero and Jose Guillen.

“I do want to get out there and play with them and see what they like to do,” Anderson said. “[But] I think we’re all good enough athletes to go out and make do with it.”

*

Although the addition of free-agent pitchers Bartolo Colon and Kelvim Escobar is expected to be bonanza for the Angels, pitching prospect Kevin Gregg may be forgiven if he seems a little unmoved.

Gregg had hoped to contend for a spot in the rotation after three stellar spot starts last season in which he went 2-0 with a 1.35 earned-run average. Now the 25-year-old is little more than insurance against a spate of injuries or ineffectiveness.

“It comes down to the number of pitchers, and we have a lot of pitchers here with guaranteed contracts and a lot of big league time,” said Gregg, who pitched in the Oakland organization for seven seasons before making his major league debut last year with the Angels. “Obviously, me being a fringe guy, that doesn’t work in my favor right now.”

Gregg, who pitched three scoreless innings Friday during the Angels’ 8-5 split-squad loss to the Kansas City Royals at Tempe Diablo Stadium, is stuck in the precarious position of wanting the Angel starters to succeed, except at the expense of his career.

“That’s just the way it works,” Gregg said. “Either they can use me or they can’t. I would like to pitch here. I like the guys. I like Scioscia, [pitching coach Bud] Black and the whole staff. But if there’s no room, there’s no room.”

*

Troy Glaus was walking without a limp after spraining his right ankle Thursday and is expected to play in a few days.... Guerrero took the day off after being hit on the right forearm with a pitch Thursday but is expected to return to the lineup today.

Guillen played designated hitter to rest his left ankle, which was struck by a foul ball Thursday. He had a single in three at-bats....Infielder Shane Halter experienced tightness in his thigh muscles and will rest for a couple of days.

Reliever Eric Cyr was tagged for five hits and four runs over two-thirds of an inning as the Angels suffered a 12-9 split-squad loss to the Chicago White Sox in Tucson.