Erstad Says He's Close to Return

Erstad Says He’s Close to Return

By Chris Foster and Bill Shaikin

April 27, 2002 12 AM PT

After a vigorous workout Friday, center fielder Darin Erstad said he is confident that he will return to the Angel lineup within days.

Erstad has been out since April 19, when he suffered a mild concussion attempting to make a diving catch against Oakland. He was examined by Dr. Craig Milhouse on Friday and then pushed himself through a workout.

“I feel a lot better than I did a couple days ago,” said Erstad, who returned to Anaheim after being injured. “I feel like I’ve slept for five days, which basically I have.

“I understand this is a little different than a little nick or something. I’m not setting any dates and I’m not saying anything is out of the question. I pushed myself pretty hard today and we’ll see how I come out of it. If I feel good tomorrow, it’s going to get a little tougher to say no.”

Angel Manager Mike Scioscia said Sunday remained a possibility for Erstad’s return to the lineup.

“He’s in a lot better shape right now than I envisioned he would be,” Scioscia said.

Erstad went through a light workout Thursday. On Friday, he took early batting practice, ran the bases, worked out in the outfield, hit some more and lifted weights.

“We’re doing everything but running into a wall today,” Erstad said.

That is something the Angels already know Erstad is ready to do.

Erstad slammed face-first into the center field fence chasing a fly ball against Texas on April 16. Three days later, he was taken to the hospital after a chin-first dive in Oakland.

“It felt like someone burst my bubble and I just wanted to go to sleep,” Erstad said. “My body felt like it was a piece of spaghetti, all loosey-goosey.”

Erstad’s return will force Scioscia to make some lineup decisions. Orlando Palmeiro hit .429 on the Angels’ recent road trip.

“Until everyone starts swinging the bat well, we’ll look for ways to keep hot bats in the lineup,” Scioscia said.

Birmingham businessman Donald Watkins has told associates he believes Peter Ueberroth is bidding against him for the Angels, several sources said, but the former baseball commissioner says his investment group is not interested in buying the team at this time.

“As far as I’m concerned, he has no competition,” Ueberroth said.

Shortstop Benji Gil, out since April 5 with a sprained left ankle, said he is two or three weeks from being ready to play. He has been unable to work out since the injury.

“We’ve been working on putting weight on it,” Gil said. “Hopefully I’ll be able to start running next week.”

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

AARON SELE

(0-2, 6.65 ERA)

vs.

BLUE JAYS’

COREY THURMAN

(0-0, 4.26 ERA)

Edison Field, 7

TV--Fox Sports Net

Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090).