A.L. reports

Sporting News, The, May 5, 2003

ANAHEIM ANGELS

After watching videotape of himself from last season, DH Brad Fullmer noticed he was moving parts of his body constantly, primarily his arms, as the pitcher went into his windup. Now, Fullmer is not moving nearly as much and can see the ball better, allowing himself to make better contact.... Eric Owens will continue filling in for CF Darin Erstad now that Erstad (hamstring) is on the D.L. Owens is not as acrobatic a fielder as Erstad, but he has good range and a good arm and can steal bases.... RHP Scot Shields, a reliever, will fill RHP Kevin Appier's spot in the rotation for at least one start. Appier is on the D.L. with a strained muscle in his pitching elbow. Shields throws a 91-mph fastball, a slider and a sinker with lots of movement. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Owens' ability to produce off the bench is his biggest asset, and he was asked to take that skill to the extreme last week against the Yankees. Coming in as a pinch hitter with the count already 3-2, he stayed back on a Chris Hammond curveball and lined a double to left-center field. Through the first 22 games, Owens hit 90 points higher as a pinch hitter (.333) than overall (.243). MAY FORECAST: The problems with the starting pitching will continue, forcing the club to explore a trade. Starters' inability to pitch deep into games will keep them battling the Rangers for third in the West.--Joe Haakenson

APRIL GRADES

Offense: B Averaged more than five runs without everyone hitting as well as they can.

Pitching: D Starters pitched seven or more innings four times in the first 24 games:

Defense: C Made too many errors on routine plays; had 18 errors in the first 24 games.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

When 1B David Segui, and OF Marty Cordova went on the D.L. last week, the team got younger in a hurry, with IF Jose Leon and OF Larry Bigbie promoted from Class AAA Ottawa. Leon, 26, and Bigbie, 25, impressed the team this spring and both are expected to play regularly--Leon at first base, third base and DH; Bigbie in left field.... C Brook Fordyce slowly may be wresting away the starting job from Geronimo Gil. Although neither is an outstanding hitter, the team believes Fordyce calls a better game, which is important for a club that does not score many runs. He started three consecutive games last week, and the team got three outstanding pitching performances. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: RHP Jason Johnson is developing into the staff's ace. He considers himself a more resourceful, more mature pitcher these days, and he threw six-pins innings of 1-hit ball last week, getting by with little more than his sinker and his head. Johnson admits that earlier in his career, he would have made an early exit if he realized he didn't have good stuff warming up. MAY FORECAST: The team will hover around .500 well into the month, mainly because of its schedule, which includes the Tigers and Devil Rays. The Orioles are not contenders, but they're better than the A.L.'s lowest-echelon teams.--Dave Sheinin

APRIL GRADES

Offense: D The only regular hitting above .300 is Segui, and he's injured.

Pitching: B The rotation is deep; the bullpen has been strong after Julio's rough start.

Defense: D There has been a drop-off since '02; the left side of the infield is a problem.

BOSTON RED SOX

The bullpen's early-season implosion has caused the club to alter its closer-by-committee stance. Manager Grady Little announced that RHPs Brandon Lyon and Chad Fox are his ninth-inning pitchers heading into May. RHP Mike Timlin will be the primary setup reliever, and struggling RHP Ramiro Mendoza will be used in non-pressure situations until he can bring his mechanics and results under control.... There are concerns RHP Pedro Martinez is having problems with his back. Reports indicate Martinez, who is not talking to the media, has a knot in his right lower back. The condition does not appear serious, although any time a physical problem crops up with Martinez it is a major concern. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: In spring training, LHP Alan Embree did not let on that he had a hard time getting loose. He got by well enough in March, but in April the low-90s velocity and straight-arrow movement on his fastball resulted in him getting hit very hard. Embree eventually was diagnosed with tendinitis in his shoulder and biceps, and after two weeks off he reported that his fastball was moving as it did in 2092. The bullpen can use a full strength Embree. MAY FORECAST: The competition improves this month, and as it does, the lack of depth in the rotation will become the team's main concern. Expect talk of trading for a premium starter to become increasingly serious.--Michael Silverman

APRIL GRADES

Offense: A- The team draws walks, advances runners and hits for power and average.

Pitching: C The bullpen is atrocious; Martinez and Lowe have yet to get rolling.

Defense: B Better than expected--especially Ramirez, Hillenbrand and Walker.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

Rookie LHP Josh Stewart held his own during his first four starts, but he might be sidelined for a while after being struck on the collarbone by a line drive. If he can't pitch, RHP Dan Wright is close to being ready to come off the D.L. Wright (elbow) has been pitching well on a Class AAA rahab assignment.... LHP David Sanders was called up to pitch in long relief. He throws a nasty slider and is viewed as a future setup man. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: RHP Bartolo Colon was somewhat disappointing in the first month. Colon was expected to mix in off-speed pitches, but he has been trying to get by with average heat. Colon doesn't seem to pick up the pace until later in games, when he often is trailing. The team wants Colon to attack hitters from the first inning on. He is throwing too many pitches early, causing him to wear down. MAY FORECAST: Unless the offense starts living up to lofty expectations, hitting coach Gary Ward will be out of a job. Charlotte hitting coach Greg Walker is a likely replacement.--Scot Gregor