A.L. report

Sporting News, The, Sept 9, 2005

ANGELS LHP Jarrod Washburn (forearm) missed two starts and in that time lost the feel for his slider. He still is throwing it but hasn't had good command of it on either side of the plate. Washburn is compensating with his fastball and changeup for now.... The A'S will be careful with 3B Eric Chavez (shoulder) down the stretch. Chavez doesn't like to be a DH, but be probably will be asked to play that role occasionally in September to keep his arm strong for a playoff push. Marco Scutaro will play third base when Chavez doesn't.... Look for MARINERS C Yorvit Torrealba to continue to get more playing time than Miguel Ojeda. Manager Mike Hargrove likes the way Torrealba handles pitchers. Torrealba has a stronger arm and a more productive bat than Ojeda.... For the second straight year, RANGERS LHP Kenny Rogers has not been as strong in the second half of the season as he was in the first half. He is not fooling as many hitters with his off-speed pitches.... The INDIANS can't afford to lose RHP Bob Wick, man, their closer, in the offseasan. Their only alternative with experience is RHP Bob Howry, who also will be a free agent. Wickman won't decide his future until after the season but has hinted he'd like to return.... RHP Jose Lima's recent run of good pitching might earn him a return to the ROYALS next season. The rotation needs a veteran presence, and if the team is convinced Urea can provide victories along with his effervescent personality, he could get an offer.... RF Magglio Ordonez's strong, accurate arm has given the TIGERS a defensive weapon not seen since Bobby Higginson's heyday. Though other Tigers have piled up assists in recent seasons, few have caused baserunners to hesitate the way Ordonez does.... TWINS LHP Johan Santana has found another second half groove. Santana is locating his fastball better lately, especially on the inner half of the plate to righthanded hitters.... RHP Bobby Jenks' fastball hits 101 mph, but the key to his success with the WHITE SOX has been the control of his off-speed pitches. Jenks' combination of hard stuff and an 86-mph curve makes him a viable late-inning option.... For the second straight year, RID) SOX RF Trot Nixon (oblique strain) has returned from the disabled list just in time. Nixon's clutch bat and constant intensity are underrated.... If the DEVIL RAYS aren't going to trade Aubrey Huff in the offseason, they'll need to find a permanent position for their slugger. Putting Huff at third base--and leaving him there--could work.... ORIOLES coaches believe LHP Steve Kline has faltered this season because of 15 pounds of excess weight and a surgically repaired index finger that still is causing him discomfort. The Orioles want Kline to come to camp in prime shape next season.... C Gulllermo Quiroz joined the BLUE JAYS a little earlier than expected. The team's best catching prospect was promoted from Class AAA Syracuse five days before the September roster expansion, and he came up at the expense of backup C Ken Huckaby, who had failed to become a playable alternative to Gregg Zaun. Quiroz has been injured for much of the season, but he hit six homers in 25 games for Syracuse.... Matt Lawton, acquired last week in a trade with the Cubs, gives the YANKEES more lineup options. A lefthanded hitter, Lawton will play mostly in left field, with LF Hideki Matsui shifting to center and CF Bernie Williams moving to DH. Lawton also can spell RF Gary Sheffield if necessary.

BURNING ISSUES

The Angels have to find adequate protection for RF Vladimir Guerrero. Teams have begun to pitch around Guerrero and give him the Barry Bonds treatment by walking him intentionally with runners on and first base open.... The Rangers already are thinking about next year's rotation. During the final portion of this season and next spring training, the club will evaluate RHPs Juan Dominguez and Kameron Lee and LHP C.J. Wilson to see whether they can pitch in the big leagues on a consistent basis.... The Red Sox think RHP Curt Schilling needs a minimum of seven starts before the postseason to regain his form and re-emerge as the ace the team desperately needs.

OUCH!

1B/3B Shea Hillenbrand leads the major leagues in being hit by pitches by a wide margin and has set Toronto's franchise record with 21. Amazingly, he has drawn just 24 walks, so it's conceivable he could finish the season with more plunkings than free passes.

THREE FOR ONE

1B Carlos Pena's surge since returning from Class AAA Toledo (six homers in his first five games back) has given manager Alan Trammell a challenge to find time for three first basemen. Dmitri Young's ability to play lee field alleviates the problem some days, but that also creates an outfield logjam. Trammell's need for a lefthanded power hitter gives Pena an edge, but elms Shelton, a righthanded hitter, remains the Tigers' first baseman of the future.