Glaus Is Warming to Spotlight

Although third baseman Troy Glaus led the American League in home runs two years ago and played in the All-Star game in each of the last two seasons, his national profile hovers just above invisible, in part because Glaus is shy and uneasy in the spotlight.

But that was Glaus on an ESPN interview show Tuesday, laughing, telling stories and enjoying himself.

As he started his major league career, Glaus was notoriously reticent around reporters. Now, in his fourth season with the Angels, he has warmed up to interviews and public appearances, so much so he says he would consider endorsing a product. No one has ever asked him to do so, he said.

“It’d be fun,” he said.

In the event of a deal, he promises to remember he is a ballplayer first and an endorser second.

“This is my job,” he said. “My job is not to go on TV and market everything I can.”

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To no one’s surprise, Darin Erstad plays the outfield exactly as he did before sustaining a concussion 18 days ago. In Cleveland last week, in a game the Angels led, 4-0, he made a diving catch. In Toronto on Sunday, in a game the Angels led, 7-0, he crashed into the center-field wall in an unsuccessful attempt to make a catch.

Although medical studies suggest one concussion increases the risk of another, Erstad said he isn’t worried about getting hurt.

“I’ve never really been too concerned about that,” he said. “If something happens, it happens. You play hard. You do everything you can to stay as healthy as you can.”

Erstad, who missed eight days while recovering from the concussion, said the headaches that bothered him are long gone.

“I still get fatigued a little more than I normally would, but that might be from not playing,” he said.

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First baseman Shawn Wooten, eight weeks removed from surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb, hopes to receive medical clearance Friday to take batting practice.

Wooten is targeting June 1 as his return date, but the Angels would be happy if he returns by mid-June. The Angels have considered acquiring a right-handed bat, but the urgency evaporated as the team won nine of 10 games, and so a spot remains available for him.

“I don’t know if they’ll want me back, the way they’ve been playing,” Wooten joked.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

KEVIN APPIER

(3-1, 2.88 ERA)

vs.

TIGERS’

NATE CORNEJO

(1-3, 5.87 ERA)

Edison Field, 7

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

Update--Trade watch: Mo Vaughn, traded for Appier in December, is hitting .254 with one home run for the New York Mets. Infielder Benji Gil, out since April 5 because of a severely sprained ankle, is likely to start a minor league rehabilitation assignment next week.

Tickets--(714) 663-9000.