Erstad Is Cleared to Return Today

By Chris Foster

April 28, 2002 12 AM PT

For once, the best-case scenario worked out for the Angels. Center fielder Darin Erstad is expected to return to the lineup today, nine days after suffering a concussion while attempting to make a diving catch.

Erstad went through extensive workouts Friday and Saturday, then was cleared to play today.

“I feel good and I’m ready to go [today],” Erstad said. “I’ve passed all the tests.”

Erstad will return to center field, Manager Mike Scioscia said. He will also return with the same aggressive style of play.

“I never thought about it before, but that’s just the way I play,” Erstad said. “I’m not going to stop doing that. I couldn’t even try, I don’t think.”

His return will cause some lineup juggling. Orlando Palmeiro has been a spark plug for the Angels while playing for Erstad. Palmeiro is hitting .361 and has a six-game hitting streak.

“If someone sits, it’s not like a season-ending decision,” Scioscia said. “We can mix and match until we get this offense going on a consistent basis. Then there’s always a possibility of going back to a set lineup if all the pieces start to function.”

Troy Percival made his reputation with his heat, a 96- to 98-mph fastball. Yet it was his curveball that got the Angels out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth Friday.

Percival struck out Raul Mondesi and Carlos Delgado to end the game, both on curveballs.

“The two seasons I was injured, I couldn’t throw it,” Percival said. “But for the last 11/2 seasons I probably have thrown just as many strikes with the curve as the fastball.”

First baseman Shawn Wooten will pick up a bat next week for the first time since tearing a ligament in his right thumb on May 13. He will take “dry swings,” without hitting a ball, and hopes to start taking batting practice in the next couple weeks.

“Getting back here in June is starting to look like a realistic thing,” Wooten said.

Wooten was originally scheduled to go to Arizona next week to begin workouts, but those plans were altered. He will remain in Southern California instead.

TODAY

ANGELS’

SCOTT

SCHOENEWEIS

(1-3, 7.33 ERA)

vs.

BLUE JAYS’

BRANDON

LYON

(1-2, 6.75 ERA)

Edison Field, 1 p.m., Fox Sports Net

Radio--KPLS (830), XPRS (1090).