ANGELS NOTEBOOK: PERCIVAL, GIL INJURED, GO ON DISABLED LIST.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

ARLINGTON, Texas - Already short-handed because of the suspension to Scott Spiezio and the injury to Troy Percival, the Angels suffered another blow Friday when first baseman Benji Gil left the team's game with Texas in the first inning with a sprained left ankle.

Later, the Angels placed Gil and Percival on the 15-day disabled list.

Percival, bothered by a strained muscle on his right side for the past three weeks, last pitched on April 2 and will be eligible to return April 18. Gil, who is eligible to return April 21, hurt his ankle in a play at first base against the Rangers.

Gil fielded a slow grounder hit by Rusty Greer leading off the bottom of the first. Gil was too far from the bag, so he tagged Greer, who slid into Gil's ankle.

Gil remained in the game as Gabe Kapler (Taft High of Woodland Hills, Moorpark College) flied out to center for the second out. But with a 1-2 count on Alex Rodriguez, Gil limped off the field.

``It swelled up like a balloon,'' Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. ``We're going to give him some time.''

Gil was taken to a hospital for X-rays, which were negative.

Utility player Clay Bellinger and right-handed reliever Brendan Donnelly have been called up from Triple-A Salt Lake and will join the team today.

Donnelly was 0-1 with a 4.80 ERA in 12 spring games. Bellinger, who played with the Yankees the previous three seasons, hit .261 this spring.

--Cook not ready: The Angels had hoped left-handed reliever Dennis Cook (bruised ribs) would be ready to come off the disabled list by today, but he is not.

Cook will throw off the mound today, and if he comes out of it OK he could be activated early next week when the team returns to Anaheim.

--Valdes unlucky: Rangers pitcher Ismael Valdes gave up two runs and five hits in eight innings against his former teammates. But like so many games in his past, he got the loss when the offense didn't support him.

``I was nervous,'' Valdes said. ``I was pitching in the first opening-day game of my career against my former teammates. But it was a great game for me. My control was good. My off-speed pitches were working well today. I'm just trying to keep our team in the game and get the victory. I can't control the offense.''

ANGELS vs. TEXAS

Time: 5:05 p.m., The Ballpark in Arlington

TV/Radio: No TV; 570-AM, 1090-AM (Spanish).

Matchup: RH Ramon Ortiz (13-11, 4.36 ERA in 2001) will start for the Angels against Texas RH Hideki Irabu (0-0, 0.00). Ortiz, who led the Angels in victories last season, is 6-1 against Texas in his career.

- Joe Haakenson

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

TROY PERCIVAL

Muscle injury on his right side puts reliever out of the lineup for up to 15 days

Box:

ANGELS vs. TEXAS (see text)