Raul Mondesi will not have to worry about facing the crowds in Pittsburgh when the Angels visit the Pirates this week. Less than two weeks after signing with Anaheim, OF-R Mondesi tore his right quadriceps. The injury evidently occurred while Mondesi was running to first after hitting a ground ball towards third in the fifth inning of the Angels' 17-inning marathon game against Milwaukee on June 8th. He apparently did not feel much pain and therefore chose not to report the problem, as he wanted to continue to participate in the tie game. His leg became swollen overnight with a large knot forming on his thigh. An MRI revealed the extent of the damage, leading Anaheim to place him on the disabled list. While Mondesi hopes to return in seven to eight weeks and the Angels believe the 33-year-old should be able to rejoin the team before the end of the year, this injury may have ended his season. I do not expect to receive a clear estimate of his rehab schedule before July.

OF-L Garret Anderson returned from the disabled list to take Mondesi's roster spot. Once Anaheim was able to identify arthritis as the cause for Anderson's upper back pain, the Angels could prescribe an effective treatment. Anderson responded quickly to the oral medication, and while there is no guarantee that the medication will continue to control the problem, the 31-year-old currently appears fully functional.

Anaheim placed RHP Troy Percival on the disabled list on June 6th. After battling a sore elbow for a month, Percival decided he needed to determine the cause of the pain and address the problem. Fortunately, Percival is not facing a second Tommy John surgery. An MRI revealed a strained pronator muscle in his forearm, which should regenerate with rest. Consequently, the 34-year-old hopes to be ready to return sometime around the All-Star Break.

RHP Francisco Rodriguez will serve as the Angels' closer until Percival returns. Rodriguez's skills remain outstanding, and the 22-year-old should handle the job well, but whenever Percival is available I expect him to receive Anaheim's save opportunities.

The Angels called up LHP Dusty Bergman to replace Percival on the roster. Anaheim drafted Bergman out of the University of Hawaii with a sixth round pick in 1999. He worked his way slowly through the system, functioning sometimes as a starter and sometimes as a reliever, though he's labored out of the pen for most of the past few seasons. At the time of his promotion, he had compiled a 24:6 K:BB with 35 H and 1 HR in 35 IP for a 2.83 ERA over 18 appearances at AAA Salt Lake.

Although Bergman's initial outing did not go well, the 26-year-old appears to deserve an extended tryout and could prove an effective lefty reliever for the Angels. Since Anaheim has no other southpaws in their pen, a strong performance by Bergman over the next few weeks could inspire the Angels to keep him on the roster even after Percival returns.

On June 5th, Anaheim sent RHP Ben Weber to the minors to correct whatever problems have led him to struggle with his control in 2004 after relying on it for his effectiveness for the past few seasons. Although the Angels are open to recalling the 34-year-old, he first will need to demonstrate he's returned to the form that made him a staple of the club's pen over the past three seasons.

Anaheim recalled RHP Matt Hensley to replace Weber on the roster and in the bullpen. Hensley did not receive much time to prove himself during his first stint in the majors, but he continued to dominate upon his return to AAA, and he should be given a longer opportunity this time.

RHP Aaron Sele hit the DL on June 11th. Sele's shoulder became fatigued during his June 10th start against Milwaukee, causing him to leave after six innings despite only throwing 80 pitches. Neither Sele nor the Angels believe the fatigue is the result of a major injury. However, since he was set to miss at least one turn in the rotation, Anaheim decided to send Sele to the disabled list for some extra rest. The Angels have not yet decided who will spot start in his absence.

Anaheim recalled CR-R Robb Quinlan to fill Sele's roster spot, making his stay in the minors only two days long, as the Angels only demoted him on June 9th in order to open up a roster spot for OF-R Tim Salmon's return from the disabled list. Despite his continued productivity, Quinlan's playing time probably will not increase any time soon. The Angels plan to ease Salmon back into the lineup, while continuing to use him primarily as a DH. Consequently, his playing time will be limited until the Anaheim completes their interleague visits to National League parks this week.

Even as Anaheim is losing new players to the DL, a few people are beginning to trickle back into the lineup. 1B-L Darin Erstad will return from the disabled list today. Erstad tried to take his time with his rehab for his right hamstring injury in an effort to avoid lingering or recurring problems over the rest of the season. However, given the chronic nature of his hamstring troubles, he could encounter further difficulties this year.

The Angels demoted 1B-L Casey Kotchman in order to clear a roster spot for Erstad. Kotchman's lack of experience in the upper minors led to a disappointing first look at the majors. Rather than returning to AA, the 21-year-old has reported to AAA Salt Lake in the Pacific Coast League. His potential remains impressive, and this stumble should not be held against him, as Anaheim rushed his introduction to the big leagues. I expect him back up in September, and if he performs well at AAA over the second half of the season, he should receive an opportunity to earn a starting job with the Angels next spring, depending on the club's personnel moves prior to that point.

While Kotchman's performance did not provide Anaheim with a tough choice regarding his demotion, OF-S Jeff DaVanon established himself as one of the most productive forces on the Angels with the extra at-bats he received while Anaheim's regulars recuperated. Garret Anderson's playing time isn't in jeopardy. However, despite their salaries and veteran status, Tim Salmon and Darin Erstad may lose at-bats if their performances fail to provide a convincing argument for their continued everyday presence in the lineup.