AMERICAN LEAGUE.(baseball teams and players)

Anaheim

BATTLE OF BATS: Manager Mike Scioscia says Scott Spiezio, Wally Joyner and Larry Barnes all are capable first basemen, so offense will likely determine who wins the job as Mo Vaughn's replacement this spring. "Spiezio brings a power dimension that Wally doesn't have, and Wally is more of a contact hitter," Scioscia says. "We don't know that much about Barnes, but he has the potential to be a good gap-to-gap hitter." Although the Angels could use a No. 2 hitter, and all three first basemen could fill that role, Scioscia says he won't evaluate them based on that need.... Garret Anderson wasn't happy about his move from center to left field, switching places with Darin Erstad, but Scioscia says the move was made for the team's sake and was not a reflection on Anderson's defense.

GETTING LIGHTER: Jose Canseco reported to spring training at 242 pounds. That's not exactly Jose Lite, but it is 20 pounds lighter than the weight he finished with last season with the Yankees. In an effort to avoid injury, Canseco adjusted his winter training regimen, concentrating on nutrition and agility rather than weightlifting. He is not as chiseled as in recent years, but he says he feels more flexible. --Mike DiGiovanna

Baltimore

HIP TALK: RF Albert Belle passed his physical last week, but scrutiny of his degenerative right hip is not over. The hip is healthy enough for Belle to play. The only question is one of degree. Belle says he plans to play a lot this season and that his hip has improved thanks to a rehab program created in conjunction with the medical staff. The hip is of particular concern to the organization because of the length and scope of Belle's contract--he is owed $39 million over the next three seasons. Quite possibly, the passing grade only delays an inevitable controversy. If at some point the team decides Belle can no longer play but Belle disagrees and files a grievance through the players union, the matter could wind up being decided by the commissioner's office. Belle says team chairman Peter Angelos tried to talk him into retiring this winter, something Angeles denies.

SHOULDER SETBACK: RHP Luis Rivera, 22, has been bothered by a "mystifying" shoulder stiffness, which could hamper his efforts to win a spot in the rotation this spring. The team thinks Rivera, who is considered to be one of the organization's best prospects, strayed from his team-prescribed shoulder-strengthening regimen this winter. --Dave Sheinin

Boston