A.L. West

Sporting News, The, May 6, 2005

LOS ANGELES ANGELS

C Bengie Molina (quadriceps) is out, so Jose Molina will get most of the starts. Jose has a stronger arm than his brother, and he has a good rapport with RHP Bartolo Colon, who is off to a strong start.... Prime prospect Dallas McPherson was activated. For now, he will play against most righthanders at third base, where the team also is using Robb Quinlan, Maicer Izturis and Lou Merloni. None has produced much offensively. McPherson has appeared overmatched, at least in the early going. He struck out in eight of his first 16 at-bats; last season, he struck out 17 times in 40 late-season at-bats. FEARLESS FORECAST: When 28 Adam Kennedy returns from extended spring training in early May, look for him to reclaim his job and for Chone Figgins to move to third, where he will solidify that troublesome spot. Figgins has struggled some early, but the team needs him in the lineup. Whether hitting second or down in the order, Figgins is the club's one true speed threat.--Mike Scarr

OAKLAND ATHLETICS

LHP Barry Zito now has a slurve that complements his traditional overhand curveball. By dropping his arm slot slightly, he creates a more sweeping break: He planned to use it as a show pitch, throwing it three or four times a game to unsettle hitters. But after seeing Ichiro Suzuki bail out on a slurve last week, Zito might use it more often.... SS Bobby Crosby (broken ribs) started rotational exercises, and the team won't rush his return. Once Crosby is cleared for baseball drills, he could be back in the lineup within a week. ... RHPs Kiko Calero (elbow) and Juan Cruz (back), who have setup roles, are limited, so rookie RHP Huston Street will face a lot more pressure situations than the club had hoped he would face. FEARLESS FORECAST: The offense isn't as bad as it has looked. But getting 3B Eric Chavez and DH Erubiel Burazo on track might not spark bunches of runs, either. The A's lack righthanded pop, so solid lefthanded relievers will be able to shut them down.--Mychael Urban

SEATTLE MARINERS

LHP Matt Thornton made the club out of spring training mainly because he was out of minor league options and would have had to pass through waivers before being demoted. He since has earned a more permanent spot on the staff with good early-season work. Thornton throws in the mid-90s and mixes in a slider. Manager Mike Hargrove now has three reliable lefthanders in the bullpen--Thornton, Run Villone and closer Eddie Guardado.... SS Wilson Valdez, claimed on waivers just before opening day, has done a fine job in place of Pokey Reese (ankle, shoulder) and likely will continue to play every day until Reese returns in a week or so. Valdez, 26, is a good fielder with some speed, and he has held his own at the plate. FEARLESS FORECAST: C Miguel Olivo, a starter in the major leagues for the first time, will enter May with a batting average below .200. He has improved tremendously behind the plate, but he's not catching up with fastballs or figuring out how to attack curveballs at the plate.--Jim Street

TEXAS RANGERS

Because the team called up CF Laynce Nix from Class AAA Oklahoma and sent down DH/1B Adrian Gonzalez, OFs David Dellucci and Kevin Mench should get more at-bats. When Gonzalez was in the mix as a DH against righthanders, Dellucci or Mench had to sit. The club is hopeful that with Dellucci and Mench getting more at-bats and Nix in center field, the offense will get a needed boost.... LHP Kenny Rogers didn't have a win in his first four starts, but he's pitching as well as he did last year when he made the All-Star team. Run support has been the problem. Rogers had a 3.33 ERA through four starts, but the team scored 11 runs in those games. FEARLESS FORECAST: The bullpen should be much better in May than it was in April, when it was decimated by injuries and endured the absence of RHP Carlos Almanzar (bereavement). Other relievers were forced to take on unfamiliar roles.--Robert Falkoff