ANGELS NOTEBOOK: PERCIVAL SAYS REDUCED KICK LEAVES HIM FIT.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

MIAMI - The leg didn't go up as high, but the readings on the radar gun did.

Troy Percival made his first appearance Saturday night since going on the disabled list May 23 with a degenerative right hip problem. He debuted an altered delivery with a less-exaggerated leg kick, and the delivery didn't affect his velocity or his command. After issuing a walk, Percival induced three consecutive fly balls to center field to close out the Angels' 9-2 victory over the Florida Marlins.

Percival topped out at 97 mph, hit 95 to 96 consistently and felt comfortable enough to throw about three curveballs. While manager Mike Scioscia has said he will monitor Percival closely, Percival pronounced himself fit to throw today because the less-exaggerated leg kick alleviates stress on his arm.

``For a guy like me with a 100 percent leg kick, it was a pretty big adjustment, but it came back pretty quick,'' Percival said. ``My arm takes much less stress now. It was about the sixth time I've thrown with the new delivery, and every time it's felt like I haven't thrown.''

--Salmon out: The Angels will be without right fielder Tim Salmon and possibly shortstop David Eckstein for today's series finale. Salmon fouled a ball off his left ankle bone in the fourth inning of Saturday's game. He played one more inning in the field and took his next at-bat, a groundout in the fifth, before leaving the game.

X-rays were negative, but Salmon anticipated considerable discomfort overnight.

``My thought right now is, how am I going to sleep tonight because my ankle's throbbing,'' Salmon said. ``I smoked it right on the bone. It's pretty sore and the swelling went up quickly.''

Salmon said the injury felt similar to an ankle sprain, with limited range of motion. Eric Owens likely will get another start in center today, with Jeff DaVanon in right.

--Eckstein questionable: Eckstein said he felt a sharp pain in his left hand ``when I extended through the ball'' during a pregame hitting session, so he sat out Saturday's game and is questionable for today.

On Friday, Eckstein was struck on the left hand during batting practice by a ball hit by Garret Anderson. He had his hand reexamined by trainer Ned Bergert, but the diagnosis remains a bruise. Eckstein was available for pinch running and defensive purposes.

``I could grip (the bat), but when I swung it was hard to put anything behind it,'' Eckstein said.

--Erstad returns: Darin Erstad, who will be activated Monday, had four hits Friday night for Triple-A Salt Lake and is hitting .435 (10 for 23) on his rehabilitation assignment.

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ANGELS vs. FLORIDA

- Gabe Lacques