June 25, 2007

Matthews remains out
The center fielder says his hamstring might keep him out the next 4-5 days.
By CURTIS ZUPKE
The Orange County Register

ANAHEIM - Stiffness in the left hamstring of Gary Matthews Jr. has prompted the Angels to loosen the strings on their depth chart.

Matthews said Monday the hamstring still is not 100 percent and he likely will sit out the next 4-5 days as a precautionary measure. He feels OK but doesn't want to aggravate it and trigger a setback.

"We just want to be careful and make sure it's four or five days and not four or five weeks," said Matthews, who pulled the same hamstring in 2005 and sat out four weeks.

"There's a time to plead your case (to play) and a time to be smart. He (Manager Mike Scioscia) is going to trust me to be smart with it."

Matthews suffered the injury when he ran to first base Saturday. Scioscia initially said Matthews would not be available Sunday, but he inserted Matthews in the 10th inning, and the at-bat let Matthews know he wasn't fully recovered.

"It was not as strong as it needs to be," he said.

Matthews' absence forced Scioscia to get creative with his lineup Monday. He put Reggie Willits in center field, and Erick Aybar in left field. Kendry Morales was the designated hitter, and Casey Kotchman returned to first base after he sat out a week because of a mild concussion.

It was Aybar's first start in the outfield this season after he played 31 games at second base and three at shortstop. Aybar played outfield in winter ball.

"He has terrific skills," Scioscia said before the game. "Although practice is not the real litmus test for what a player is going to do, he looks very comfortable in the outfield. He's got the speed to make up for some inexperience out there."

Guerrero likely will return as the designated hitter Wednesday to lead into Thursday's day off, said Scioscia, who wants to give Guerrero time off his feet.

COSTA BACK IN O.C.

Kansas City outfielder Shane Costa just missed his alma mater, Cal State Fullerton, in the College World Series. He was optioned to Triple-A Omaha, site of the CWS, on June 13 and recalled the next day.

Costa does have a day off this week to re-visit his old haunts up the freeway. He had a half-dozen family members and friends in attendance Monday, and they hope to see more than an occasional at-bat.

Costa has tried to forge some momentum in limited appearances as a backup right fielder. He was hitting .185 through 27 games.

"It's tough," he said. "I know that. They know that. I'm battling with my at-bats. I know my role. I try to go in there when I can and help the team."

TONIGHT

RHP Ervin Santana (5-7, 5.06) opposes Kansas City RHP Gil Meche (4-6, 3.21) at 7:05 p.m. The game will be broadcast on KCOP/13, KSPN/710 and KLAA/830 (Spanish).