Search for Offense Ices Main Reserves

MINNEAPOLIS —  A deep and talented bench was supposed to be an Angel strength, but almost a month into the season, two key reserves have produced more rust than runs.

Outfielder Juan Rivera, who hit .307 with 12 home runs and 49 runs batted in for Montreal last season and is in a designated hitter platoon with Jeff DaVanon, has three at-bats in nine games.

Third baseman Robb Quinlan, who hit .344 with five homers and 23 RBIs in 56 games last season, had one at-bat in the same time span. The pair have combined for three RBIs.

“We want to keep some guys we might use late in games fresh, and the only way to do that is to get them some at-bats,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “But we’re searching for some offensive continuity, first and foremost, and to do that you have to play your starters.”

Two factors have led to Rivera’s and Quinlan’s sitting: Many Angel regulars are veterans who hate taking days off, and the Angels have faced nine right-handed starting pitchers in a row.

Rivera said through an interpreter that he “expected to play more,” but he’s trying to remain patient. “I’m not really desperate at this point.”

Pinch-hitting for Josh Paul in the ninth inning Friday, Rivera popped up.

Quinlan opened the season as the starting third baseman in place of injured Dallas McPherson, but he struggled offensively -- he’s hitting .148 in 27 at-bats -- and made two errors in the first four games. McPherson has started the last nine games.

“Obviously, I wasn’t playing that well, so I understand what Scioscia is doing,” Quinlan said. “Still, it’s better sitting on the bench here than going back to triple-A. Hopefully, I’ll get an opportunity against left-handed pitchers.”

He will -- and so will Rivera -- Sunday when Twin left-hander Johan Santana starts against the Angels. That’s what makes this such a predicament for Rivera and Quinlan; they barely play for a week and a half, and when they do, they face the 2004 American League Cy Young Award winner.

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With rain forecast in Tacoma this weekend and Portland early next week, the Angels decided to send second baseman Adam Kennedy, recovering from right-knee surgery, to Class-A Rancho Cucamonga to complete his rehabilitation assignment. Kennedy is expected to be activated Friday.

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Bengie Molina will catch in the bullpen today, the first test of his strained right thigh muscle since he was put on the disabled list on April 18.