ANGELS NOTEBOOK: ERSTAD DROPPED TO NO. 2.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - There's no shortage of dead spots in the Angels lineup right now, as the club entered Monday's game averaging just 3.2 runs in its past 13 games.

But on Monday, manager Mike Scioscia went straight to the top in an attempt to shake his club's offensive doldrums, removing Darin Erstad as the leadoff hitter in exchange for speedy Chone Figgins.

While No. 5 Steve Finley is hitting just .187, Erstad's recent struggles have mirrored the Angels'. He has just four hits in his last 28 at-bats and 11 in his last 49, and his batting average has fallen from .296 on April 21 to .256 entering Monday.

Without runners to drive in, the heart of any lineup is bound to be impotent.

Hitting second, in front of Vladimir Guerrero, would appear to be a plum position. But Erstad says at this stage of his career, he gets pitched to the same way regardless of lineup position. He does, however, envision more hitting landscape opening up with the speedy Figgins on base in front of him, creating more hit-and-run opportunities.

--Washburn sore: Jarrod Washburn's dive for Detroit Tiger Nook Logan's bunt attempt Sunday came at a cost. The left-hander said he woke up Monday and ``felt like I got hit by a truck,'' one day after his belly-flop came up short on Logan's bunt, leading to a seven-run third inning.

But Washburn, who received treatment for his back and other areas Monday, said he doesn't expect to miss his next start, thanks in part to an extra day of rest with an off day Thursday.

--Also: Catcher Bengie Molina ran the bases at close to full speed Monday and said he was pain-free for the second consecutive day. Molina, out since April 17 with a right quadriceps injury, said he probably won't be activated until the start of the next road trip, on Friday, but Scioscia indicated Wednesday's game is a possibility. ... Reliever Matt Hensley underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder that repaired a slight tear of the labrum and fraying of the rotator cuff. Hensley is expected to miss the remainder of the season.