A.L. West.(BASEBALL)

LOS ANGELES ANGELS

Tommy Murphy was called up to take the roster spot of CF Darin Erstad, who was put on the disabled list with a sore right ankle. Murphy is a speedy outfielder with a great arm and a natural feel for the position. He will be used mostly as a defensive substitute and pinch runner and will get an occasional start in place of Chone Figgins in center.... RF Vladimir Guerrero is in one of the worst slumps of his career. Always a free swinger, Guerrero has been even more aggressive at the plate than normal. As a result, he has had too many unproductive one-pitch at-bats. HOT PROSPECT: It is only a matter of time before RHP Jered Weaver returns to the Angels. He went 4-0 in four big-league starts earlier this season and tossed a complete game with a franchise-record 14 strikeouts in a recent start at Class AAA Salt Lake City. Look for Weaver to return to the big club later this season and to be in the rotation next year. Weaver relies on great control and a deceptive delivery. --Mike Scarr

OAKLAND ATHLETICS

Since opening the season 0-for-27, 1B Dan Johnson has made a remarkable recovery at the plate, mainly because he has put in a ton of work with hitting coach Gerald Perry and ditched his pull-everything mentality. Johnson batted .371 with six doubles, four homers and 15 RBIs in his first 18 games in June while regularly using the opposite field.... OF Bobby Kielty, who had two brief stints at Class AAA early in the season, is benefiting from the extra at-bats afforded by OF Milton Bradley's extended absence because of injuries. In a recent l0-game span, Kielty hit .389 with four doubles, a triple and two homers. HOT PROSPECT: RHP Jason Windsor, a third-round pick in 2004, started the year strong at Class AA Midland, then went 6-0 with a 4.06 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings in his first eight starts at Class AAA Sacramento. The A's are handling Windsor, 23, with care, but he might get a look at the big-league level soon if injuries continue to ...