ANGELS NOTEBOOK: MATTHEWS SLOWED BY SORE KNEE.

Byline: DOUG PADILLA 

Staff Writer

ANAHEIM -- All those walls Gary Matthews Jr. crashes into and it took a nudge at first base to leave him with a sore knee.

Matthews was the designated hitter for the second consecutive game Saturday as he tries to nurse a sore left knee. Matthews bumped into Boston Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis on Wednesday and hasn't been the same since.

"I'm not concerned about it," Matthews said. "I just want to do whatever it takes to get in under control and get it right right now so it's not bothering me the rest of the year."

Matthews said he has inflammation of the patellar tendon and has not undergone an MRI, although he wouldn't rule out getting one.

"You know what, if I notice something different or something that just doesn't feel right then maybe I'll think about getting an MRI," he said. "Right now, I think it's OK."

The knee gives Matthews problems when he breaks out into a sprint and when tries to stop. But he said Thursday's day off helped and Monday's travel day to Toronto should do so as well.

"I was surprised we had the day off (Monday); I didn't know," he said. "It's always the best when you don't know it's coming. I just saw it yesterday. It's always good to have some days off (close together)."

Scary moment: Reggie Willits said he saw his life flash before his eyes Saturday afternoon as he returned to Anaheim from a youth clinic in Chino Hills.

Angels community relations manager Matt Bennett was driving Willits, Maicer Izturis and bullpen catcher Steve Soliz on the freeway when a truck in a neighboring lane kicked up a long sheet of metal. The piece of metal slammed into the windshield, causing it to shatter in a web-like pattern. Despite cracking, the windshield still held together.

Willits said he was in the passenger seat.

"My heart was racing," Willits said. "If that thing comes through (the windshield) we're goners. There was nothing Matt could do it happened so fast."

Kendrick getting close: Howie Kendrick had his second day of batting practice Saturday and was cleared to begin a rehab assignment with advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga today. Kendrick is expected to start playing for Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday.

The second baseman has been out of action since July 9 with a fracture in his left index finger.

Manager Mike Scioscia said there is a possibility Kendrick could return in time for the Angels series at Boston, which starts Friday.

Too little Frankie? After recording 23 saves over the first three months, Francisco Rodriguez has just five since July 1 and his opportunities to pitch have been sporadic.

Before Saturday, Rodriguez had not pitched since Monday when he recorded his 28th save against the Boston Red Sox. Before pitching two innings at Seattle on Aug.1, he had not pitched for a week, and before that outing he had to wait six days.

"I think if we were in a pattern where there were stretches of eight or 10 games he didn't pitch, you'd be concerned about that; that's not the case," Scioscia said. "He's certainly been rested. He's stayed fresh. He hasn't been that far away from pitching at any one time to where you'd be concerned."