A.L. reports

ANAHEIM ANGELS CF Garret Anderson says his recent lack of power is nothing to be concerned about, and manager Mike Scioscia agrees, saying Anderson is healthy and that his timing might be off after missing 40 games because of back problems.... C Josh Paul is proving invaluable now that he's getting more playing time because Bengie Molina (broken finger) is on the D.L. The pitchers appreciate the job Paul does behind the plate, and he's a solid contact hitter who understands situational hitting.... A healthy ankle, improved location and recent success have boosted RHP Bartolo Colon's confidence, and he again is the ace the Angels expected him to be when they signed him. SCOUTING REPORT: RHP Troy Percival's velocity has been down since he returned from an elbow injury, but his command has been significantly better. Percival, the closer, cites a return of solid mechanics as the reason. He is getting by on location and experience as he works on getting his fastball back up to 95 to 97 mph.--Doug Miller

BALTIMORE ORIOLES Management is expected to restructure the club in the offseason, in particular the rotation. RHP Kurt Ainsworth and LHPs Matt Riley and Eric DuBose, who were in the rotation at the start of this season, might be auditioning for jobs in the final six weeks of the season. ... Jerry Hairston has taken over as the everyday center fielder in place of injured Luis Matos (shin), but Hairston still wants to be a second baseman. He could demand a trade in the offseason.... If 1B Rafael Palmeiro plays 140 games at first base, his option for 2005 becomes guaranteed. It's uncertain the club wants him back next year, so it could have Palmeiro split time with B.J. Surhoff at the position the rest of this season. SCOUTING REPORT: RHP Dave Borkowski has had surprising success since being promoted from Class AAA Ottawa in July. He throws a fastball, sinker and curve, and he needs to establish at least two of his pitches to be successful. Borkowski struggles when he tries to be too fine or when he doesn't trust his stuff.--Gary Washburn

BOSTON RED SOX Manager Terry Francona frequently said his team played station-to-station baseball on offense because it lacked speed. But with SS Orlando Cabrera and OF Dave Roberts now in the fold, look for the team to be on the move more.... Obtaining LHP Mike Myers for the bullpen filled a glaring need. Myers has held lefthanded hitters to a .213 average over a 10-year career and will be called on to face them in key situations.... Surrounded by big boppers DH David Ortiz and LF Manny Ramirez, 1B Doug Mientkiewicz doesn't need to be overly concerned with hitting for power. The team just needs him to produce line drives. SCOUTING REPORT: Though he is struggling this year, Cabrera can be a dangerous hitter, making up for his small stature (5-9, 180) with an explosive swing. Cabrera isn't a patient hitter, but he puts the ball in play. He often takes wild swings at pitches up in the strike zone but usually crushes lower pitches. A superb defender, Cabrera has a rare combination of range, soft hands and a strong arm.--Ian Browne

CHICAGO WHITE SOX 2B Roberto Alomar, who spent the second half of 2003 with the White Sox, was reacquired. He is a valuable middle infielder and leadoff hitter and plays small ball well, something the team has struggled with recently.... RHP Mike Jackson generally has been solid in middle relief, but he has struggled to keep inherited runners from scoring late in close games. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Last season's combination of LF Carl Everett, who also was reacquired recently, and Alomar often meant short outings by opposing starting pitchers--and it wasn't solely because of their hitting production. Both veterans have keen batting eyes and work counts seven or eight pitches deep in each at-bat. Even if the at-bat results in an out, it drives pitch counts up and weakens the starter. That also is something DH Frank Thomas excels at, but he's out for the year, making Alomar and Everett even more valuable.--Scott Merkin

CLEVELAND INDIANS LHP C.C. Sabathia hasn't been the same since he left a June 26 start because of shoulder soreness. Even though doctors said he was fine, he posted a 6.67 ERA in July and has struggled to get ahead in counts and pitch deep into games. The club is concerned he has been letting his frustrations get the best of him.... RHP Bob Wickman has settled back into the closer's role he occupied in 2002. The club must limit how often it uses Wickman, who's prone to injury, on consecutive days. The bullpen has benefited from having some consistency at closer. SCOUTING REPORT: The team sent RHP Chad Durbin to Class AAA in late May to develop a starter's routine. It worked. Since being called back up in late July, he has shown the poise and confidence to be a starter. The main difference: an increased command of his slider and changeup. He also has been getting ahead in the count with a first-pitch fastball.--Anthony Castrovince

DETROIT TIGERS SS Omar Infante's stint at the leadoff spot while CF Alex Sanchez (hamstring) was on the D.L. proved Infante could turn into a good No. 2 hitter one day. Though Infante wasn't as effective drawing walks as he had been at the bottom of the order, his ability to work counts and his power impressed the team.... The Tigers have one of the league's best offenses but on occasion try too hard for a big hit. Hitting coach Bruce Fields believes the normally patient Tigers simply are in a rough patch and will come around.... RHP Danny Patterson's designation for assignment is a sign the team is playing with an eye toward next season. Patterson wasn't going to be back next year, and his high-80s fastball wasn't fooling batters. SCOUTING REPORT: LHP Wilfredo Ledezma, 23, looks like a teenager, but he's no longer intimidated against formidable opponents. He works both sides of the plate, knows how to work a count and bases everything off of a low- to mid-90s fastball. His changeup and curveball are sharper than a year ago, and he has added a two-seamer. Expect Ledezma to battle for a spot in next year's rotation.--Jason Beck