--IF Brandon Wood was demoted to Class AAA Salt Lake before Friday's game. Wood was 1-for-17 in eight games (five starts) in his second stint with the Angels this season. The lone hit was a home run off Yankees LHP Andy Pettitte in his first game after being promoted. Four of his five starts came at first base, a position he had not played before this season.

--The combination of Wood's demotion and the Angels optioning RHP Bobby Mosebach to Class AAA Salt Lake after Wednesday's game created two roster spots. IF Sean Rodriguez and C Bobby Wilson were promoted from Salt Lake to fill them. Rodriguez gives the Angels a reserve at several positions including all three outfield positions where both Juan Rivera and Robb Quinlan are dealing with hamstring issues.

--The Angels needed a backup catcher with C Jeff Mathis "questionable" for the Minnesota series due to a lower back strain. Mathis said the stiffness has bothered him for about a week but got bad enough recently for him to be examined by a doctor and have X-rays taken. No structural damage was revealed and he said the diagnosis was a mild strain.

--OF Vladimir Guerrero took batting practice and ran the bases as part of Friday's pre-game workout and "he's got a chance to be out there playing for us next week," according to Angels manager Mike Scioscia. Guerrero has missed the past 19 games with a strained muscle behind his left knee and missed 35 games earlier this season with a torn pectoral muscle near his right arm. When he returns, it will strictly be as DH.

MEDICAL WATCH:

C Jeff Mathis (lower back strain) did not play July 31.

CF Torii Hunter (strained adductor muscle in right groin) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 8.

RF Vladimir Guerrero (strained muscle behind left knee) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 8. He took batting practice and ran the bases before the July 31 game and could be activated this week. When he returns, it will be strictly as a DH.

RHP Kelvim Escobar (right shoulder soreness) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 6, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on July 24. He is out indefinitely.

RHP Dustin Moseley (nerve irritation in right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list April 18, and he was transferred to the 60-day disabled list June 6. He had a setback in mid-May during his rehab at extended spring training. He was cleared to start light throwing in late May but was shut down again because of pain traveling from his neck to his elbow.

RHP Scot Shields (left knee tendinitis) went on the 15-day disabled list May 26. He had season-ending surgery June 16 and was moved to the 60-day DL.

ROTATION:

LHP Joe Saunders

RHP Jered Weaver

RHP John Lackey

RHP Ervin Santana

RHP Matt Palmer

BULLPEN:

LHP Brian Fuentes (closer)

RHP Justin Speier

RHP Jason Bulger

RHP Kevin Jepsen

LHP Darren Oliver

RHP Shane Loux

CATCHERS:

Jeff Mathis

Mike Napoli

Bobby Wilson

INFIELDERS:

1B Kendry Morales

2B Howie Kendrick

SS Erick Aybar

3B Chone Figgins

INF Maicer Izturis

INF Sean Rodriguez

OUTFIELDERS:

LF Juan Rivera

CF Gary Matthews Jr.

RF Bobby Abreu

OF/INF Robb Quinlan

OF Reggie Willits

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