Angels camp report
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Five things to know about the Los Angeles Angels:
1. Two-fifths of the starting rotation will go to the wire before the Angels will know if they will be active on opening day. Right-hander Jered Weaver (forearm tendinitis) is catching up on his workload and probably will be in the opening-day rotation, toward the back end. But right-hander Bartolo Colon remains a little behind and probably won't be ready until late April or May. Colon, who opted against surgery for a partially torn rotator cuff, remains on a rehabilitation program and is coming along.
2. Center fielder Gary Matthews Jr.'s future remains written in pencil, not pen. The Angels were unhappy with the way he delayed making any kind of statement when his name turned up in an investigation of an outfit that provided Human Growth Hormone, among other things, to players. He finally spoke up and denied taking HGH, and the Angels say if there are no other surprises with him, they're now satisfied. Just in case, though, prospect Erick Aybar is working out in center field as well as at second base. "Versatility," manager Mike Scioscia says. "If Erick develops a role, I think it will probably be where he has to have some versatility to get some at-bats. If he only plays one position, he's probably going to have a tougher time contributing offensively."
3. The broken leg designated hitter Juan Rivera suffered while playing winter ball doesn't help a team that ranked 11th in the AL in runs scored. The Angels moved quickly in signing Shea Hillenbrand, and he's expected to get the bulk of the DH at-bats early. So far Hillenbrand and other newcomers like second baseman Howie Kendrick are helping set a solid tone for camp. Hitting coach Mickey Hatcher says camp is running as well as he can remember. "The veteran guys are taking in the newer guys," Hatcher says. "Hillenbrand, I see him with Kendrick every day in the batting cages hitting off of the curveball machine. I couldn't get anybody to hit off the curveball machine last year."
4. Among the great mysteries of life in Angel-land: Right-hander Ervin Santana and his home/road splits. Santana compiled a 3.02 ERA in Angel Stadium last season and a 5.95 ERA on the road. And over his career, he's got a 3.09 home ERA and a 6.46 road ERA.
5. Poor glove work is what eventually doomed last season's Angels -- they ranked last in the AL with a .979 fielding percentage and committed a league-high 124 errors. And this usually has been a fairly good fielding team. Matthews will help in center field, and Casey Kotchman, who never caught up last season after contracting mononucleosis in the spring, should anchor the infield at first base. The Angels did finish strong, winning 19 of their final 27 games and setting a club record for successful Septembers by going 19-8 during the month. From July 1 on, their 54-29 record was the best in the majors.
BIG GUNS 
