Latest team info- The Angels are not looking as good as the potential showed. They are not getting the hitting they got last year and the pitching staff if not as good as it seemed. They are last in the league with only eight home runs and their team batting average is .232. The Angels needed a strong season from Darin Erstad and Tim Salmon to win and they are not getting anything from either of them. Erstad is hitting .242 with no homeruns and six RBI’s. Salmon is batting a measly .169 with no home runs and eight RBI’s. If the Angels plan on winning some games they are going to need to put of some power numbers from players whose names aren’t Troy Glaus or Garret Anderson. As for the pitching staff, the two new additions are not doing what they did in their previous teams. Aaron Sele has a record of 0-2 with an ERA of 6.65. Kevin Appier has a record or 1-1 with an ERA of 4.57 and Scott Schoenweis is 1-3 with an ERA of 7.33. With what was looked at as the most improved and possibly one of the best staffs in baseball, those numbers are not going to get the job done. The thing that will hurt the Angels the most is the fact that they have not beaten, division rival, Seattle Mariners once this season. They are going to have to get wins over the Mariners if they want to get into the playoffs.

Local Perspective- The fans in the area are very displeased with the performance of their time so far this season. Though they are off to a terrible start, winning only 6 of their 20 games this year, the “true fans” still feel that they can wake up and make a run at the wild card.

Injuries- Darin Erstad is going to miss the entire series against the Mariners due to a concussion. He is expected to be back in the line up April 26 verses the Toronto Blue Jays. Benji Gill is still hurt and is expected to miss until mid-may with an ankle injury. Troy Percival is off the DL and is back being the Angels Closer. In his second appearance since coming off the DL, he gave up a three-run homer to pinch-hitter Greg Myers in the Angels' 6-5 loss to the A's on April 21.

On the Farm- As of right now there aren’t any players in the farm system that can come up and make a difference for the Angels. One player who might start seeing some playing time is Jeff DaVanon. With the extreme lack of hitting from Salmon, DaVanon will start seeing some time in right field.

Quick Views- ADD- Glaus- If you can get him in a trade then do it. He is going to have a great season in the power areas.
DROP- Salmon- He is not hitting now and does not look like he is going to start hitting any time soon.
Schoenweis- He is have a terrible season and is not looking as good as he has in the past.

Opening Day Evaluation

The Angels did not look good in their season opener. They were the first team since 1993 to be shut out on opening day. They looked emotionless and looked like they were not ready to play ball. Nothing about the game looked good. They did not hit and their pitching was not effective. This did not look like the team that has a chance can win the American League West.

Garrett Anderson was a bright spot for the Angels on Sunday night. He hit the ball well going 2 for 3. He got 2 of the Angels 5 total hits. Bartolo Colon was demanding and the Angels had no answer for him at the plate. He pitched a complete game shutout.

Washburn started very slowly. Washburn got in trouble immediately, walking leadoff man Matt Lawton. The Indians followed with four consecutive singles -- by Omar Vizquel, Ellis Burks, Jim Thome and Travis Fryman. In the game Washburn gave up five runs and eight hits in five innings, with six strikeouts and one walk.

The Angels looked a rocky in their season opener, and now they have to put that behind them and get ready to play like the team they can play like.

Latest team info

Scott Spiezio’s suspension was lessened this week. He got suspended for participating in a fight against the Padres in a spring training game. Spiezio’s fine was lessened one day by the major league. Spiezio is going to miss the first five games of the season. Troy Galus’ suspension was not lessened and he will serve his 2 game ban wont start until April 7.

The Angels recalled right-hander Brendan Donnelly and infielder Clay Bellinger from Triple-A Salt Lake of the Pacific Coast League, because of the injuries to Gill and Percival.

Injuries

The Angels put left-hander Dennis Cook on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday because he bruised his left ribcage in a bench-clearing brawl in a March 9 game against San Diego.

Shawn Wooten fell down while catching a pop-up and separated a joint in his thumb. He's scheduled for surgery and is expected to miss four months.

Benji Gill has been put on the 15 day DL. Gil sprained his left ankle after fielding a grounder in the first inning of the win over the rangers.

Troy Percival has also been put on the 15 day DL. Percival was diagnosed with a strained rib muscle April 3, a day after he got his first save of the season. He had been taking anti-inflammatory medication but hadn't had much relief.

Quick Views (ADD)

Salmon- he has a good spring and looks ready to hit the ball hard this season.

Erstad- He will be good to go this year. He is in the number two spot. He also hit the ball real well this spring and is expecting to be back to his 2000

Al Levine will be the closer while Percival is on the DL.