Galarraga Feels Like a Rookie

Andres Galarraga, the 43-year-old veteran who survived two bouts with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, one that sidelined him for the 1999 season, returned to the big leagues Wednesday, feeling rejuvenated by his recall from triple-A Salt Lake.

“I feel very good, mentally and physically,” said Galarraga, who signed with the Angels on Aug. 4. “I’m very excited. I wanted to go to a team with a chance to go to the playoffs. I feel a lot better after not being able to play for a long time. I kind of feel like a rookie here.”

Galarraga, a first baseman, batted .304 in 25 games at Salt Lake, with four homers and 19 runs batted in, but his role probably will be limited to pinch-hitting duties for the Angels.

“Right now there’s a lot of guys fighting for at-bats,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “Troy [Glaus] will get the lion’s share of at-bats at designated hitter, and we want to keep [Darin] Erstad at first base every day. But Andres is a candidate to start if a guy needs a day off.”

The Angels also purchased the contract of utility player Shane Halter and recalled first baseman Casey Kotchman from Salt Lake. To make room on their 40-man roster for Galarraga and Halter, the Angels designated reliever Ben Weber for assignment and outrighted pitcher Steve Green to Salt Lake.

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In addition to out-hitting and out-pitching the Angels in the first two games of a three-game series, the Red Sox have been out-defending the Angels.

Boston third baseman Bill Mueller made a nice diving stop of Chone Figgins’ grounder, and center fielder Johnny Damon leaped at the wall to rob Adam Riggs of extra bases Tuesday night.

Wednesday, it was Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek with two defensive gems. Adam Kennedy, on second base with no one out in the fifth inning, made an ill-advised attempt to take third when a Terry Adams pitch bounced in the dirt and caromed away from Varitek.

But Varitek quickly pounced on the ball and threw to third to get Kennedy. Figgins, who leads the Angels with 27 stolen bases, walked with two out in the fifth and tried to steal second, but Varitek got him with a perfect throw to end the inning.

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The Angels are expected to reinforce an overworked bullpen today by recalling right-hander Scott Dunn from triple-A Salt Lake.