Milestone Not Especially Grand to Salmon

It won’t rate anywhere near winning the World Series in 2002, and as far as individual achievements go, it’s probably not as impressive as the time he hit .330 in 1995 or drove in 129 runs in 1997.

But baseball loves its milestones, especially the four-digit ones, so when Tim Salmon knocked in the 1,000th run of his career with a two-out, two-run single in the third inning Saturday night, the Angel Stadium scoreboards flashed “1,000,” even though the hit actually gave him 1,001 RBIs, and Salmon received a standing ovation.

Salmon stood at first base, looking a little bewildered as Mariners pitching coach Rafael Chaves visited the mound. The 37-year-old veteran didn’t even tip his cap, perhaps because he was wondering what all the fuss was about.

“It’s a nice notch on the belt, but it’s nothing that is going to lead me off into retirement,” Salmon said of the 1,000-RBI mark, a milestone only one other Angel, Garret Anderson, has reached, and only 10 active players, including Jeff Bagwell and Barry Bonds, have reached with a single franchise.

“To me, none of my numbers seem ... they’re decent, but there’s nothing really gaudy. It shows what you can do if you play long enough and are consistent. You have to play a long time to get that many RBIs.”

For a long time, Salmon, who has 295 home runs, didn’t think he’d reach the 990-RBI mark.

He spent the last month of 2004 on the disabled list, had shoulder and knee surgery and sat out the entire 2005 season.

After months of grueling rehabilitation and doubts he’d ever play again, Salmon at least appreciates that he had the chance to reach 1,000 RBIs, regardless of the significance of the achievement.

“It’s nice to be able to add to those numbers because for a long time, I thought that was it,” Salmon said. “When it’s all said and done, that’s when you sit back and enjoy it.”

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Howie Kendrick started at second base Saturday night, the first start for the highly touted Angels prospect since May 7.

Kendrick started six of seven games from May 1-7, but the return of Juan Rivera from the disabled list and Dallas McPherson from the minor leagues has curtailed Kendrick’s playing time considerably.

If, over the next few weeks, the Angels determine Kendrick’s development will be stunted by a lack of playing time, they’ll probably send him back to triple-A Salt Lake.

“If it gets to a point where his role is diminished and he’s not helping us move forward, we will consider sending him down,” Manager Mike Scioscia said of Kendrick, who is working out at second, third and first.

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Bartolo Colon suffered no ill effects from Friday’s bullpen workout, his first since going on the DL because of an inflamed shoulder April 16, and the Angels ace is scheduled to throw off a mound again today.

Barring any setbacks, Colon will need to throw to hitters once or twice, either in batting practice or a simulated game, before beginning a minor league rehabilitation assignment.