Salmon’s Wrist Mending, but Return Not Imminent

The one definite thing about Tim Salmon’s wrist injury is that the timetable for his return is indefinite.

Salmon had been gearing up during workouts before the team’s last trip, hoping to swing a bat. Instead, he underwent an MRI Monday, which revealed that the wrist is mending, but is still no closer to being ready.

While that didn’t qualify as a setback, it was a reminder how uncertain his situation is.

“It’s not going to need surgery, it’s healing” Salmon said. “The scar tissue just needs time to heal. That’s why I didn’t want to say when I might return, because I’ll start pushing it.

“That’s what happened last week. We had talked about getting going two weeks after the cast came off. Then I started to step it up and had more inflammation. I will push myself and do what I need to do to get ready, but I can’t do anything when it hurts.

“It could take a long time to heal. If it takes four months to get better, then that’s it. I just don’t know right now.”

Salmon, who has missed 46 games since he tried to make a diving catch May 3, does not expect it to take quite that long. The Angels certainly hope it won’t.

A long layoff would severely damage the Angels’ chances of getting back in the West Division race. Injured outfielder Jim Edmonds likely won’t be back until September and a prolonged absence by Salmon would make matters worse.

“If we don’t get them both back until September, it will be difficult,” General Manager Bill Bavasi said. “It’s not impossible, but it would be difficult.”

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Both Edmonds and relief pitcher Mike James were in the clubhouse Friday for the next stage of their rehabilitation.

James, who has missed the last year after elbow and shoulder surgery, is closer to being ready. He will begin throwing off the mound Monday, the first step in what he said would be a four-week rehabilitation.

He threw for 15 minutes--five minutes from 60 feet, five from 90 feet and five from 120 feet--on Friday, the same routine he has followed the last few weeks at the Angels’ complex in Arizona.

“I feel like I did when I got called up the first time,” James said. “This is exciting.”

Edmonds is not nearly as close.

“I’m just halfway through it right now,” he said.

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Pitcher Scott Schoeneweis picked up his first major league victory Thursday when the Angels rallied late. He pitched only two-thirds of an inning in a 12-7 victory.

“I snuck one in out there,” Schoeneweis said. “ I Petkovsek-ed it.”

Mark Petkovsek, Angel reliever, is 6-2 out of the bullpen this season.

“I need to spread those around a little more,” Petkovsek said.

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Bavasi said that if the Angels consider making a trade right now, it won’t be for a pitcher. “Right now, we would look for offense,” Bavasi said. “Who would have thought that back in spring training?” . . . Edison pays $1.4 million per year to get its name on the stadium--and unwittingly provide its workers with a forum to air contract grievances. Several dozen union members picketed in front of Edison Field Friday, charging Edison with attempting to slash pension benefits. Fliers handed to fans read, “Cheer for the Angels & Boo Edison.”

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ TIM BELCHER (5-6, 6.41 ERA)

vs.

ATHLETICS’ GIL HEREDIA (3-5, 5.44 ERA)

Edison Field, 7 p.m.

* Television--Fox Sports West.

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

* Update--Belcher has gone at least seven innings in five of his last seven starts and is 3-3 with a 4.40 earned-run average in that span.

* Tickets--(714) 663-9000