Rodriguez Probably Unavailable

Angel closer Francisco Rodriguez, who has been unavailable the last three games because of a strained muscle in his right forearm, will throw a bullpen session today but probably won’t be available tonight and Saturday against the Dodgers, General Manager Bill Stoneman said.

Rodriguez was examined by Lewis Yocum, the Angel team doctor, and underwent a stress X-ray on his right elbow Thursday to check for a stress fracture. The X-ray was normal. Yocum also reviewed the MRI test Rodriguez underwent in Cleveland on Monday.

Scot Shields has handled the closer role while Rodriguez has been hurt. He is two for two in save opportunities in that time.

However, Rodriguez’s absence has left a hole in the bullpen. With Shields closing, Brendan Donnelly is the only reliable setup man.

“You may see a situation where Scot or Brendan will pitch two innings as the closer,” Manager Mike Scioscia said.

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Third base has been a problem for the Dodgers, but it can’t be said that the team hasn’t searched the globe for an answer.

Antonio Perez, a native of the Dominican Republic, soon will become the sixth Dodger to start at third base this season. He follows Oscar Robles (Mexico), Mike Edwards (New York), Norihiro Nakamura (Japan), Olmedo Saenz (Panama) and Jose Valentin (Puerto Rico).

A permanent answer at third might be bubbling below the surface on a Dodger farm team. Willy Aybar is batting .348 with 16 doubles in 38 games at triple-A Las Vegas.

Joel Guzman, the consensus top Dodger prospect, has 10 home runs in 39 games and is batting .293 at double-A Jacksonville. At Class A, Andy LaRoche is batting .329 with 11 homers in 39 games for Vero Beach, Fla., and Blake DeWitt -- rated by Baseball America as the best hitter for average in the Dodger organization -- is batting .245 with 11 extra-base hits for Columbus, S.C.

Of course, minor league numbers can be deceiving. Nakamura, demoted by the Dodgers after batting .128, is nine for 22 with four home runs in seven games at Las Vegas.

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Valentin, on the disabled list with a serious knee injury, probably won’t be ready to return until August. He says he is not concerned about losing his position.

“I want the guys playing third to do well,” he said. “I’m pulling for everybody. If somebody here takes the job, fine. If we have to make a trade, then let’s do it.

“I just want the team to win. If we get rings because somebody filled my shoes at third, I’ll get one too.”

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The Angels have shown sporadic signs of emerging from the offensive funk that has limited them through May. Yet they still haven’t been able to find any consistent run production. They are batting .226 in May and have scored three or fewer runs in seven of their last 10 games.

“There are ups and downs in a season,” said Garret Anderson, who has a seven-game hitting streak. “This is nothing new under the sun.”

Even with the offensive woes, the Angels haven’t spent a day out of first place in the American League West this season, mostly because of the starting rotation, backed by one of baseball’s top bullpens. Angel starters have gone seven or more innings in 14 of the last 20 games.

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Angel second baseman Adam Kennedy appears to be back on track after spending the off-season and spring training recovering from knee surgery. Kennedy, who returned to the lineup May 2, was six for 18 on the six-game trip that ended Wednesday, raising his average from .185 to .244.

“Physically, I’m feeling back to where I was before” the injury, said Kennedy, who injured his knee in a game against Seattle last Sept. 20.

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The Angels will play four of their next six series against division leaders and contenders -- the Dodgers, Chicago White Sox (home and away), Boston and Atlanta.

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ON DECK

Series -- Angels at Dodgers, three games.

Site -- Dodger Stadium.

TV -- Channel 13 today and Sunday, Channel 11 Saturday.

Radio -- 710, 980, 1020, 1330.

Records -- Dodgers 22-18, Angels 23-17.

2004 season series -- 3-3.

Tonight, 7:40 -- Scott Erickson (1-3, 6.57) vs. Jarrod Washburn (2-2, 4.04).

Saturday, 1 p.m. -- Brad Penny (2-2, 4.40) vs. John Lackey (4-2, 4.40).

Sunday, 1 p.m. -- Derek Lowe (3-4, 3.07) vs. Paul Byrd (4-3, 4.15).

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ANGELS-DODGERS TONIGHT

ANGELS’

JARROD WASHBURN

vs.

DODGERS’

SCOTT ERICKSON

*--* THE MATCHUPS 2005 2004 VS OPP TEAMS/PITCHERS W-L ERA TEAM W-L IP ERA Angels/Washburn (L) 2-2 4.04 4-4 1-0 7.0 0.00 Dodgers/Erickson (R) 1-3 6.57 3-4 -- -- --

*--*

Dodger Stadium, 7:30

TV -- Channel 13. Radio -- 710, 980, 1020, 1330.

Update -- Erickson has substantial history against Garret Anderson (10 for 52) and Darin Erstad (11 for 40). Both Angel batters have hit two home runs against him. Expect Olmedo Saenz in the lineup for the Dodgers -- he is eight for 21 with a home run and five walks against Washburn.

-- Steve Henson