Appier, Erstad to Have Exams

Kevin Appier probably will sit out his next start and could go on the disabled list pending the outcome of an MRI exam he is scheduled to undergo Tuesday on his pitching elbow. X-rays of the elbow, which forced the Angel right-hander to leave Saturday’s game against the Seattle Mariners after two innings, were negative Sunday.

Darin Erstad, who also left Saturday’s game prematurely because of an inflamed tendon in the back of his right knee, will undergo an MRI exam today to rule out a cartilage tear.

Because the Angels are off today, Jarrod Washburn could take Appier’s turn in the rotation if the veteran is unable to make his next start Friday against the Boston Red Sox. But the Angels would need a spot starter Saturday and could pluck Scot Shields or Scott Schoeneweis from the bullpen, or opt for minor leaguers Steve Green or Chris Bootcheck.

“There’s some guys who could be in the picture if they’re pitching well in the minor leagues,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “I think we have enough depth there that we can miss a guy for a start or two.”

Green was 1-1 with a 2.70 earned-run average and Bootcheck was 0-2 with a 6.16 ERA before Sunday for triple-A Salt Lake.

Erstad said he has felt discomfort in his knee since the Angels’ first trip this season.

“I went to the park one day and I was a little sore,” said the center fielder, replaced in the lineup Sunday by Eric Owens.

Erstad aggravated the injury in the third inning Saturday when he stopped and planted to throw after fielding a single by John Mabry. Erstad tried to shake off the pain, but after striking out in the bottom of the inning, “it wasn’t going away.”

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Scioscia said he expects second baseman Adam Kennedy to rejoin the team Tuesday -- the first day he is eligible to come off the disabled list -- when the Angels open a three-game series against the New York Yankees at Edison Field.

Kennedy, who went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring after colliding with Tim Salmon while chasing a fly ball April 2, has built up his strength and stamina by playing for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga the last three days.

Chone Figgins, recalled from Salt Lake to fill in for Kennedy, has proved to be a capable replacement, leaving Angel management with a difficult decision as far as whom to option to the minors upon Kennedy’s return. Scioscia called Figgins one of the most improved players in the organization over the last two years.

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The most difficult player to strike out in the American League is Bengie Molina, who has struck out once in 61 plate appearances. The next closest player, Baltimore shortstop Deivi Cruz, had struck out once in every 20 plate appearances before Sunday.