A.L. reports

Sporting News, The, May 31, 2004

ANAHEIM ANGELS The team was relieved when it learned OF Garret Anderson's mysterious upper-back ailment is a treatable form of arthritis. The Angels need his bat in the middle of the lineup, and the best-case scenario is for him to return in July. So the team might look for a veteran bat for the outfield to help fill the gap until Anderson returns.... Trey Glaus' decision to have what likely will be season-ending shoulder surgery puts a lot of pressure on Shane Halter and Chone Figgins to carry the load at third. Neither has been impressive in the field, so the team might look for help at third.... Hitting coach Mickey Hatcher might have found a solution to SS David Eckstein's recent hitting problems. Hatcher looked at tapes and saw that Eckstein wasn't keeping enough weight on his back foot. Hatcher now is trying to pattern Eckstein's stance after OF Jose Guillen's.... RHP Ramon Ortiz has been looking more confident in the bullpen, a key development considering RHP Brenflan Donnelly is suffering from a tender right elbow as he rehabs from a broken nose. SCOUTING REPORT: Casey Kotchman, 21, has the tools to be a top-notch first baseman. He has gap-to-gap power and the potential to hit 25 to 30 home runs. He uses the whole field with plus hand speed and follows pitches into the catcher's mitt. He also is polished in the field. His weaknesses are a lack of speed and a tendency to get injured.--Doug Miller

THE ROAD AHEAD

June will be pivotal for the banged-up Angels. They will have to hold their own against the As, Dodgers, Astros, Cubs and Red Sox.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES The emergence of RHP Daniel Cabrera gives the Orioles more stability in the rotation and might allow their pitching staff to turn the corner. The bullpen has been overworked because the starters have been walking too many batters and not going deep into games.... Don't expect RHP Kurt Ainsworth back in Baltimore soon. He was optioned to Class AAA to regain his consistency and confidence. Some club officials think his fragile psyche and hesitance to challenge hitters are key reasons he faltered.... Melvin Mora has not let a tough transition to third base affect his offense. He's one of the league leaders in hitting and appears a favorite to land an All-Star spot. The question is whether he can sustain such a high level for a full season. In 2003, Mora hit .349 before the AU-Star break, but he was injured alter the break and batted .188. SCOUTING REPORT: RHP Mike De Jean has been an effective reliever in the past but is struggling this season because of a lack of control. DeJean isn't a power pitcher but can reach 93 mph, so his fastball commands respect when he locates it. It usually takes two or three batters for him to gain his command, which means inherited runners score and/or he walks batters. DeJean has to be more reliable and poised to become a top setup man.--Gary Washburn

THE ROAD AHEAD

June will be tough for the Orioles. Six games against the Yankees and an interleague trip to Los Angeles will provide a challenge.

BOSTON RED SOX RHP Derek Lowe's slow start (3-4, 6.02 ERA), though disconcerting, isn't cause for major concern. Lowe's first two months were horrendous last season, and he bounced back to win 17 games. Lowe's sinker is too good for him not to remain a highly effective pitcher.... 3B Bill Mueller has been bothered by right knee soreness much of May, and the team can only hope the inflammation subsides. It can't afford to lose Mueller for a significant length of time.... The defense has been a major disappointment. Aside from C Jason Varitek and SS Pokey Reeso, the Sox have been inconsistent with the gloves. The lack of a speed is a factor, and concentration needs to improve.... Though there was no truth to the recent trade rumor that had Royals CF Carlos Beltran coming to the Red Sox, Beltran certainly will remain on Boston's radar screen until the July 31 trade deadline. SCOUTING REPORT: Knuckleball, knuckleball, knuckleball. Hitters know what's coming from RHP Tim Wakefield, but he still gives them fits. Wakefield has tremendous poise, and he's far more consistent than he was early in his career. He mixes in his share of curveballs and every now and then will hum in a fastball at about 78 mph. He also is a terrific fielder. Wakefield has been rock solid for the Red Sox since moving back into the rotation in 2002.--Ian Browne

THE ROAD AHEAD

It won't be an easy month. The team has a two-game series in Anaheim, visits San Francisco and finishes at Yankee Stadium.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX DH Frank Thomas has started to heat up. But even when Thomas is in a slump, his keen batting eye is a danger to opponents. His ability to draw walks and lay off pitcher's pitches starts rallies and gives the potent hitters behind him a chance to drive in runs.... It's LHP Neal Coils' turn to try the fifth starter's spot. He isn't stretched out enough to work much past five innings, but he's better able to handle a spot in the rotation than he was in 2003 because his bullpen work this season has boosted his confidence.... LHP Kelly Wunsch was recalled from Class AAA Charlotte to take Cotts' bullpen spot. Before the promotion, Wunsch was unhappy at Class AAA and thought he would be traded.... OF Joe Borchard, the team's 2000 first-round pick, hit .407 in a recent eight-game stretch at Charlotte. Borchard's offensive prowess could give the team a valuable trading piece. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Hitting coach Greg Walker couldn't identify a specific physical problem during his team's prolonged hitting woes, aside from the fact the Sox were trying to pull the ball too often. The struggles were more a case of sagging confidence that caused several hitters to tinker with their swings and develop mechanical problems. Recently, the team's confidence has returned.--Scott Merkin