ANGELS NOTEBOOK: FINDING HUMOR IN GIL'S SPRAINED ANKLE.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Angels lost Benji Gil to the 15-day disabled list Friday when he sprained his left ankle, but at least they could joke about it.

Told manager Mike Scioscia said the swelling made it look like a 3-wood, Gil said: ``Yeah, it looked like a driver yesterday.''

When it happened, Gil was not in a joking mood. The Rangers' Rusty Greer, trying to avoid Gil's tag at first base and beat him to the bag, slid into Gil's ankle.

``I was upset,'' Gil said. ``I don't see where there was a way he could've been safe. But anytime you get hurt, you get upset.''

Greer said he didn't think there was anything wrong with his slide.

``I'm playing the game; I'm trying to make it to first base,'' he said. ``I wouldn't try to run over Benji, he's quite a bit bigger than me.''

--Percival's plan: Closer Troy Percival, who has a strained muscle in his right side, said it was his choice to go on the disabled list.

``I went to (Scioscia) after going to therapy (Friday),'' he said. ``We mapped out when I could play catch again, six days down the road, and then another couple days before throwing a bullpen, and another couple days before throwing a simulated game. It's almost 15 days by then. Why not get somebody up here?''

That ``somebody'' is Brendan Donnelly, who is on a major-league roster for the first time at age 30. He spent 10 seasons in the minors and never thought about giving up.

``I went through too much, too many teams,'' he said. ``I think a lot of people would have given up and gone on with their lives.

``I went through all of spring training with these guys, right up to the last pitch. Now I'm back and it feels like I've had a couple days off. It's nice to be back in this clubhouse.''

--Comings and goings: Spiezio's suspension ends today, and third baseman Troy Glaus begins his two-game suspension. Spiezio will play first base and either Jose Nieves or Clay Bellinger will play third.

``I've been able to get through it, but it hasn't been fun at all,'' Spiezio said. ``I'm pretty much mad about the whole thing, but there's nothing I can do about it. It's almost over.''

--Sele goes home: Pitcher Aaron Sele left the team Saturday and returned to his home in Bellevue, Wash. to tend to a personal matter. Sele will rejoin the team in Anaheim in time to make his start Tuesday against the Mariners.

ANGELS vs. TEXAS

Time: 12:05 p.m., The Ballpark in Arlington.

TV/Radio: No TV; KPLS-830, XPRS-1090 (Spanish).

Matchup: Jarrod Washburn (0-1, 9.00 ERA) will start for Anaheim against Texas' Kenny Rogers (0-0, 3.60). Washburn struggled in his first start, lasting only five innings in a loss to the Indians. The Angels' have come from behind in all three of their wins this season.

- Joe Haakenson

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ANGELS vs. TEXAS (see text)