A.L. reports

Sporting News, The, August 23, 2004

ANAHEIM ANGELS SS David Eckstein is proving he's the best option at the position. He's playing good defense as usual and has been hitting close to .300 for months. The key has been his health--leg problems contributed to his disappointing 2003 season. His renewed speed on the bases makes him the catalyst of the offense.... RHP Francisco Rodriguez, a setup man, is the future closer, and he has been so dominant with his mid-90s fastball and slider he already has closed some games. The team is monitoring RHP Troy Percival, the closer, to keep him fresh for what it hopes will be a playoff drive. Rodriguez, who is 13 years younger, can fill in for Percival every third or fourth day. The plan is to use Rodriguez, and possibly RHPs Scot Shields and Brendan Donnelly, to spell Percival, who should be recovered from elbow problems and able to carry the load in crucial September games. SCOUTING REPORT:, DH/OF Tim Salmon's banged-up shoulder will need surgery after the season, but he's toughing out the rest of this year so he can have another shot at postseason play. His ability to drive the ball has been hindered because of rotator cuff damage in his lead shoulder. But the team likes his bat speed; it helps make him a useful pinch hitter and spot starter.--Doug Miller

BALTIMORE ORIOLES The club designated C Ken Huckaby for assignment, which means more playing time for C Javy Lopez, who says he's wearing down. Lopez, an 11-year veteran, is in the middle of the most demanding season of his career; he had 92 starts entering the week. He averaged 111 starts the past four years.... Melvin Mora might receive MVP votes this season. He already eclipsed his career high in home runs and is competing for the A.L. batting title. He also has reduced his errors at third base after a slow start.... Look for manager Lee Mazzilli to make changes in his coaching staff this offseason. He inherited the staff after taking the job in November, and his relationship with the coaches has been tepid at best. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Lefties had just five hits in 73 at-bats against LHP B.J. Ryan when he faced Anaheim's Garrel Anderson, a lefthanded batter, with the bases loaded in a tie game last week. Ryan attempted to get Anderson to chase two pitches, but he didn't bite. Behind 2-0, Ryan felt he had to throw strikes. And Anderson slapped a single that scored the winning runs. Ryan says he learned from his mistakes and will challenge hitters earlier in the count.--Gary Washburn

BOSTON RED SOX Expect 1B/DH David Ortiz's name to be prominent in MVP discussions, though his chances could be hurt if LF Manny Ramirez steals some votes. Entering the week, Ortiz had 30 home runs and 105 RBIs, surpassing his career RBI high of 101, set last season. He also was hitting .311. Pitchers used to consistently retire him with inside pitches, but he has adjusted.... RHP Ramiro Mendoza has come on when the team least expected it, again displaying a sharp sinker. RHP Scott Williamson (forearm) still is on the D.L., and Mendoza looks ready to fill the void.... Instead of calling up prospects on September 1, the roster expansion date, the team hopes to welcome back from injuries such key players as IF Mark Bellhorn, 2B Pokey Reese and OFs Ellis Burks and Trot Nixon. SCOUTING REPORT: Doug Mientkiewicz might be the best defensive first baseman in baseball. He doesn't have spectacular agility, but he makes up for it by reading the ball off the bat. He also has excellent hands. It's probably not a coincidence the team's rotation has been more consistent since his arrival. Offensively, Mientkiewicz, a lefthanded batter with a sharp eye, is at his best when hitting line drives. With the Twins, he often worried ten much about hitting for power.--Ian Browne

CHICAGO WHITE SOX LHP Neal Cotts has been more effective of late after struggling for three months. He is getting lefties and righties out by spotting his fastball and trusting his ability. Cotts was trying to be too perfect and was thinking too much earlier this season. Manager Ozzie Guillen envisions Cotts, who had been a starter, as a setup man while he develops another pitch.... After CF Aaron Rowand had trouble sacrificing in two straight games, he came in several hours early to work on his bunting.... Now that DH Frank Thomas (left ankle) is done for the season, the biggest concern is conditioning. The club lists Thomas at 275 pounds and would like him at 265 for spring training. With surgery still a possibility, Thomas doesn't envision any real workouts until January, so he'll rely on frequent visits to his steam room. SCOUTING REPORT: SS Jose Valentin had the third-worst average (.124) in the A.L. during July. But he has made a solid career out of being aggressive at the plate and doesn't intend to change his approach. Valentin believes the only way to work his way out of a slump is to keep swinging, a style that has led to five straight seasons with at least 25 home runs, including this year.--Scott Merkin

CLEVELAND INDIANS Manager Eric Wedge is looking for ways to shore up his bullpen for a run at the A.L. Central title. The return of RHP Bob Wickman, the closer, and the work of RHP Bobby Howry have helped, but Wedge needs RHP David Riske to return to form and help complete a staff that has slowly produced better numbers.... The work of RHP Chad Durbin and RHP Scott Elarton seems to have made the Indians a bit reluctant to make a trade for a starter. Club officials have some concerns about the recent spotty play by LHP Cliff Lee, but they have not changed their view that Lee can pitch effectively in the rotation.... Any thought of bringing back RHP Jason Davis from Class AAA Buffalo has been pushed aside. Davis is showing slow progress but not enough to warrant a return to the majors. SCOUTING REPORT: Talk that SS Omar Vizquel's glove had betrayed him has been silenced. Vizquel had an early-season slump in the field, but he took extra infield practice, and his sessions on footwork and positioning with bench coach Buddy Bell have him back at the top of his game. His play since mid-June has been impressive considering he's 37.--Justice B. Hill