DaVanon Will Get At-Bats

The return of Darin Erstad leaves the Angels with a new problem, albeit a pleasant one: finding a way to get Jeff DaVanon’s bat in the lineup.

The reserve outfielder, who hit .362 during Erstad’s nearly two-month absence and put together a stretch in which he homered six times in three games, was out of the starting lineup Monday when the Angels opened a three-game interleague series against the Philadelphia Phillies at Edison Field.

But Manager Mike Scioscia said he would try to get DaVanon as many at-bats as possible, whether it meant inserting him in the lineup to give a regular outfielder the day off or switching an outfielder to designated hitter on occasion.

“Jeff’s been incredible, and he’s made the most of an opportunity to where he’s definitely played himself into more playing time and will continue to get at-bats,” Scioscia said. “We want to get Jeff’s bat in there when we get a chance to.”

DaVanon, 29, hit .188 in 63 games with the Angels from 1999 through the end of last season but never got an opportunity to display his talents on an everyday basis.

That changed when Erstad went down April 19 because of a hamstring injury. DaVanon and Eric Owens initially alternated as Erstad’s replacement in center field, but DaVanon eventually won the job with errorless defense and potent offense.

DaVanon is hitting .433 in his last 67 at-bats, and few are more pleased than the guy who returned Monday to reclaim his position.

“He finally got a chance to play every day, and he’s shown everybody what a great player he is,” Erstad said. “We all knew that, he just never really fit in to where there was a spot for him. He’s making a spot for himself, so I couldn’t be any happier.”

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David Eckstein did not start for a fourth consecutive game because of a bruised left hand, and Scioscia said the shortstop might not return until a weekend series against the New York Mets at the earliest.

“There’s a bone bruise there, and we’re going to have to go on a day-to-day basis,” Scioscia said. “It doesn’t look like anything that will put him on the DL.”

Eckstein, who underwent more tests to rule out a broken bone, took infield practice and said he felt much better. Benji Gil replaced Eckstein at shortstop again Monday and Adam Kennedy took his place in the batting order by leading off for the first time this season.

Eckstein said the timing of the injury was maddening considering the return of Erstad. “Ersty’s healthy and now this comes up,” said Eckstein, who pinch-ran in the eighth inning Monday.

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Troy Glaus, bothered by soreness in his throwing arm, started at designated hitter and Scott Spiezio played third base.