la_faker_81

ANAHEIM -- Darin Erstad knows one speed, but when he returns in about a week, he'll have to go at a slightly less than frenetic pace.

Erstad will begin a rehab assignment on Friday with Class A Rancho Cucamonga, and if his ankle is able to handle the stress of playing on a partial basis, he'll join the club with the rest of the September callups next weekend in Detroit.

This season -- his last under contract with the Angels -- has been a source of pain and frustration for the 11-year veteran. Erstad has appeared in just 27 games and twice been sent to the disabled list with bone spurs in his right ankle. If he hopes to play next season, and retirement is not currently a part of his lexicon, Erstad will need surgery, but for now, he's working on returning as a backup first baseman for the stretch run.

The one caveat is Erstad has played all-out ever since he was handed a ball as a kid in North Dakota, and if he is to remain an option for the remainder of the Angels' 2005 campaign, he'll have to throttle back.

"I can do it," Erstad said. "I'll have to have a governor on a little bit."

Erstad will not return to center, where Chone Figgins starts and Juan Rivera is the primary backup. He also will not take over full-time at first, where Howie Kendrick and Robb Quinlan have developed into a productive platoon. The main issue is running, and Erstad has said that his normal aggressive style is simply out of the question, but the club is confident he will be able to handle the demands of the position.


Complete Article: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim : News : Los Angeles Angels News

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GO ANGELS

Well he's kind of had it in me ever since i accidentally ran over his dog. Actually, replace "accidentally" with "repeatedly" and replace "dog" with "son".