Kotchman Is Still Mired in Slump

TORONTO â€”  Mike Scioscia said it would be unfair to pin the Angels’ offensive struggles on any individual. “It’s not one guy who’s making or breaking our offense right now,â€� the manager said after Sunday’s 3-1 loss to the Blue Jays.

But the Angels also don’t want an extended slump to make or break a young player, which is why first baseman Casey Kotchman soon could be demoted to triple-A Salt Lake, as rookie catcher Jeff Mathis was last week.

Kotchman was hitless in three at-bats Sunday, including a pair of weak grounders to first base on first-pitch swings, and has six hits in his last 47 at-bats. The 23-year-old, whom the Angels held in such high regard that they moved Darin Erstad to center field to clear a spot for him, is batting .158 with one homer and six runs batted in.

It’s not only a lack of production that concerns the Angels. It’s a lack of progress.

“What’s frustrating with Casey is we’ll see a grouping of at-bats where he looks better, and then a grouping of at-bats where he’s out of his game,� Scioscia said. “We saw that today. It’s one thing to make the major leagues. The tougher challenge is making a footprint in the big leagues, building a career.�

Scioscia said that if any young player “is not moving in the right direction,� a demotion to triple A would be considered, “but we’re not at that point now with Casey,� Scioscia said. “You only do it if you think in the long run it will push the player ahead.�

Kotchman is suffering from the effects of mononucleosis, which he caught over the winter, and though he said it hasn’t affected him at the plate, he doesn’t seem like the same hitter who batted .278 with seven homers and 22 RBIs in 126 at-bats last season.

“It does help to go down to the minor leagues sometimes, but we have to get him going -- he’s a big bat in our lineup that we’re expecting a lot from,� batting instructor Mickey Hatcher said. “We’re keeping an eye on him. He’s really frustrated. We have a lot of confidence in him, but when you get to this level, you have to perform. We’re not developing at this level. We want to win.�

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The Angels plan to put Erstad on the 15-day disabled list today and activate outfielder Juan Rivera for tonight’s series finale against the Blue Jays.

Erstad has been out since last Monday because of a right ankle injury, which has been bothering him since spring training. There are two small bone spurs rubbing together in the ankle, which might require surgery to shave down, a procedure that could sideline Erstad for about two months.

But the Angels are now concerned Erstad may have suffered some ligament or tendon damage in the ankle, so he will undergo an MRI test Tuesday in Chicago. The Angels are also trying to arrange for Erstad to see a foot specialist.

Rivera, who has been on the DL since April 17 because of a rib-cage strain, was scheduled to play three rehabilitation games for triple-A Salt Lake, but after going five for nine with a home run, three doubles and six RBIs in two games Friday and Saturday, the Angels deemed him ready to return.

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Bartolo Colon, on the DL since April 16 because of shoulder inflammation, stretched out his long toss to 180 feet Sunday, and there is a chance the right-hander could begin throwing off the mound by the end of this week.