A.L. (Baseball).

Anaheim Angels

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42-29 2nd in West

COMING BACK: 1B/DH Shawn Wooten is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment in early July. Wooten hit .312 last season hut has not played in a game this season. He tore a ligament in his thumb during spring training that required surgery, then strained a muscle in his side on May 31 during his first rehab stint. That has meant more at-bats for 1B Scott Spiezio and DH Brad Fullmer but less pop off the bench for manager Mike Scioscia.... C Bengie Molina is one of only two players in the A.L. who was in an opening day lineup but has yet to hit a home run. Molina produced a career-best 14 homers in 2000, his rookie season, but hit only six last year. Molina says he isn't concerned about his lack of power. He has struck out only 15 times in 229 at-bats and is hitting .266.

SCOUTING REPORT: LHP Jarrod Washburn isn't overpowering and yet still throws his fastball 90 percent of the time. What makes Washburn effective is his no-fear approach. He isn't afraid to challenge hitters and make them beat him. It also helps that Washburn's fastball essentially is more than one pitch. He changes speeds with it and it moves--often times in directions Washburn can't anticipate. His fastball will tail, sink or even rise at times. Washburn's biggest problem is making too many pitches. Because of high pitch counts, Washburn has thrown at least seven innings in only four of 15 starts. In order to become more efficient, he needs to trust and throw his off-speed pitches (changeup, slider) more often.--Joe Haakenson

BURNING ISSUE

The bullpen has hit a rough spot with the lack of lefthanders and the struggles of setup man Al Levine. The team explored trading for a reliever. With Dennis Cook the only lefty in the bullpen, the club would prefer to add another.