BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Anderson to Make Class A Start Sunday

Brian Anderson has no idea which team Lake Elsinore is playing Sunday. All he knows is he’ll be on the Lake Elsinore mound in a real game for the first time since May 5, when he left the Angels’ game against Seattle in the fifth inning because of a strained left biceps.

“I don’t even care who we’re playing, as long as it’s someone,� said Anderson, who is expected to make three rehabilitation starts for the Class-A Storm. “You don’t get the same adrenaline rush in the bullpen as you do facing hitters.�

Anderson said he felt no pain in his arm Tuesday after throwing a two-inning simulated game, in which he made about 30 pitches, several of which reached his pre-injury velocity range. If all goes as planned, Anderson could return to the Angel rotation for the series against Kansas City, June 19-21.

“It’s great that the team is in first place, but what have I done but be a cheerleader?� Anderson said. “You can tell me all you want about being part of the team, but I want to contribute between the lines. I’m just dying to play.�

*

Eduardo Perez didn’t start at third base Tuesday for the sixth time in the past seven games. This time it was Carlos Martinez, another right-handed hitter, and not Spike Owen, a switch-hitter, getting the call against Baltimore left-hander Jamie Moyer.

Manager Marcel Lachemann said his decision was based partly on Martinez’s .333 career average (five for 15) against Moyer and Perez’s .000 average (0 for 6), but it’s becoming more apparent the Angels have lost confidence in the slumping Perez (.169) and might soon demote him to triple-A Vancouver.

“That’s a decision the organization has to make as a follow-up to the lineup the manager puts on the field,� General Manager Bill Bavasi said. “If the lineup doesn’t include Eddie for an extended period of time we have to figure out what’s best for Eddie.�

*

Angel reliever Lee Smith, who was not re-signed by Baltimore over the winter, had more saves (12) entering Tuesday’s game than the Orioles did victories (11). Smith was also 12 for 12 in save opportunities; Baltimore relievers were a combined five for eight.

“They wanted to go with the young kid [Oriole reliever Armando Benitez],� said Smith, 37, a right-hander who has played for five teams in the past six years. “Everywhere I go they think the old dude is going to fall down. That was supposed to happen eight to 10 years ago.�

*

Center fielder Jim Edmonds was a late-afternoon scratch from the starting lineup because of a sore left foot, but the injury, which has hampered Edmonds about a week, is not believed to be serious. . . . Chili Davis, Tony Phillips, Tim Salmon and J.T. Snow are the only Angels who have started in all 32 games.