ANGELS NOTEBOOK: PERCIVAL RELUCTANTLY GOES ON DL.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - Closer Troy Percival went on the 15-day disabled list Friday because of a strained gluteus muscle, a day after giving up a ninth-inning grand slam and suffering his first blown save of the season.

MRI tests on his right hip Friday showed the damage. Before getting the results, Percival said he didn't think there was a chance he would have to go on the DL.

``I was OK when I woke up (Friday) morning, but as I walked around it got fatigued,'' said Percival, who said the hip popped out of place briefly this week while throwing in the bullpen. ``I think I can pitch right now, but not if I would pitch like I did (Thursday) night. I've been through worse and still been effective.''

Manager Mike Scioscia said Brendan Donnelly likely will be the first to be called upon to close games in place of Percival. However, Francisco Rodriguez, Ben Weber and Scott Schoeneweis also could pitch the ninth.

``The bullpen should be fine because we have depth and versatility, and guys who can get the last outs in the ninth inning,'' Scioscia said.

Percival, one of the stars from last fall's World Series, often tries to pitch through aches and pains without saying anything, but he admitted that wouldn't be the smart thing to do in this case.

``You want to attack this thing and get it better, because I can't have it popping out on me every time I throw a fastball,'' he said.

The Angels called up infielder Chone Figgins from Triple-A Salt Lake to replace Percival on the roster. Figgins will join the team today.

--No fanfare: Ex-Angels pitcher Al Levine got his World Series ring Friday when Tim Mead, vice president and director of communications, gave it to him before Friday's game.

``It means I had a lot of friends over there,'' said Levine, who was released by the Cardinals at the end of spring training before signing with the Devil Rays. ``It was good to see those guys. But it's just another season right now. Last year doesn't mean anything now. It's a new season.''

Levine, 2-1 with a 1.23 ERA in 13 games, said he was released by the Cardinals after rumors circulated he was either out of shape, injured, or both.

``That's what I heard from other people around the league,'' he said. ``Supposedly I was still injured from last year, but it wasn't true. I was fine last year.''

Levine was placed on the disabled list last year with what was called a sore shoulder, and he wasn't on the postseason roster when the Angels carried only 10 pitchers.

``It was tough,'' Levine said of his exclusion. ``It was very tough. But Frankie (Rodriguez, Levine's replacement) did a great job.''

--Slashing prices: New Angels owner Arte Moreno has already made good on his word of lowering beer prices at Edison Field. Large premium-brand beers, previously available for $8.50, were selling for $6.75 at concession stands Friday.

--Injury update: Center fielder Darin Erstad, after a cortisone shot Wednesday, hopes to resume running today. Erstad has been out since April 19 with tendinitis in his lower right hamstring tendon.

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- Joe Haakenson