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08/11/2006 9:01 PM ET
Notes: Santana's injury not as bad
Barring a setback, righty is expected to make his next start
By Mike Scarr / MLB.com
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Ervin Santana left Thursday's game early after a line drive hit his knee. (Mark Duncan/AP)
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NEW YORK -- The Angels and Ervin Santana were breathing a sigh of relief on Friday as they took up residence in the visitors' clubhouse at Yankee Stadium.
The bone bruise that Santana suffered after being hit on the left knee by a batted ball in Cleveland on Thursday hadn't worsened. And while sore, the second-year pitcher was moving around easily, and he'd already begun light exercise on the stationary bike.
"I feel a lot better. I can feel the seams of the ball on my leg," Santana said. "I think I'm going to be pitching on Tuesday."
Santana's next turn in the rotation is on Aug. 15 in Texas, and the Angels are tentatively planning for the right-hander to make his start.
"Considering where it hit him, it looks like we're very fortunate," manager Mike Scioscia said.
Santana had a strikeout in the can in the bottom of the first inning on Thursday, when Jason Michaels ripped a line drive off the pitcher's knee. Upon Santana's initial reaction, the injury looked much worse as he writhed on the ground in pain. But after a few minutes, Santana left the field under his own power and X-rays taken at Lutheran Hospital were negative.
No further tests have been scheduled and Santana has begun to play light catch, targeting Sunday for his next bullpen session if he doesn't suffer any setbacks.
New assignment: Chris Bootcheck joined the team on Friday, making the trip from Triple-A for his third stint with the Angels this season.
With Santana making an early exit on Thursday, the bullpen logged an inordinate number of pitches and the club swapped position depth for pitching depth by sending down outfielder Tommy Murphy.
Bootcheck has been pitching mostly out of the bullpen at Salt Lake City. After suffering a left hamstring strain on May 2, when he ran in from the bullpen during the Angels' on-field dust-up with the A's, Bootcheck was converted to a reliever because he was no longer in shape as a starter.
The Angels had used the right-hander out of the bullpen in Spring Training, and he's found the adjustment fairly seamless.
"I liked what I did in the spring. Stuff-wise, things really took off," Bootcheck said. "I feel I can do both. It is a mindset, a marathon versus a sprint, but I like going all out for two innings."
Bootcheck started closing games in his last few outings with the Triple-A Bees, but he is projected into a long or middle relief role for the Angels. He went 7-4 in 21 Triple-A starts last season, and he drew a pair of no-decisions in two starts with the Angels, but Scioscia said Bootcheck will be used as a reliever.
"I think his future is going to be in the bullpen," Scioscia said. "His velocity has picked up in the 'pen. He has that nice slider, and I think his stuff is playing well in the 'pen."
Bootcheck is ready for the assignment.
"If I can be a part of this bullpen that has been so good for so long, that would be awesome," Bootcheck said.
Baby steps: Darin Erstad is holding steady in his day-to-day pattern, literally. The three-time Gold Glove winner is proceeding cautiously in his attempt to return from the disabled list due to a pair of bone spurs in his right ankle.
Erstad is working out exclusively at first base, and the team's hope is to have him ready at some point in September. He's been out of the protective boot for about two weeks and has begun to do some light jogging, in addition to fielding and hitting drills.
"I've got to get some strength back," Erstad said. "I've been hitting it pretty hard. I feel pretty good [at first]. I have to see how it goes."
Erstad said he's had two cortisone injections and the ankle has improved, but he's not looking at any firm timetable for his return.
"We still have some steps to go through," Erstad said. "I have a lot of steps to pass."
On the farm: Brandon Wood went 3-for-5 in the Travelers' 6-4 win over Midland on Thursday. The shortstop is hitting .270 in 430 at-bats this season.
On deck: The Angels will play the second game of their four-game series against the Yankees on Saturday at 10:20 a.m. PT on FOX. Right-hander Kelvim Escobar is set to face New York right-hander Jaret Wright.
Mike Scarr is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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