ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SHIELDS' ARM STILL TENDER.

Byline: DOUG PADILLA 

Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - Perhaps it is time to take a closer look at that sore right arm Scot Shields was so reluctant to talk about last week.

Shields admitted on the last road trip that his arm had seen better days, but he blamed it on the time of the year and the fact that he isn't a kid anymore. August certainly can be the dog days for a heavily-worked reliever, especially one that is 32-years-old.

Nothing to worry about, was essentially the message Shields gave in regard to his right arm that has been as dependable as they come. When the Angels were in Toronto last week, Shields was asked how often his arm gets sore.

"I don't know, it just comes," he said. "I'm not hurt or anything, it's just sore."

Pitching coach Mike Butcher said Thursday he didn't know anything about Shields having a sore arm but would look into it.

Trying to downplay the soreness, Shields said it only takes a few warmup pitches before he feels normal again. He said it isn't a problem once he gets into games.

The radar gun still says Shields is throwing his fastball in the low 90- mph range as he normally does. But Shields is either reluctant to put his pitches in the strike zone these days or his command is completely out of whack.

Shields has walked at least one batter in each of his last four appearances and six of his last seven. He has a 13.50 ERA in nine August appearances.

Manager Mike Scioscia is concerned more with mechanical issues when it comes to Shields.

"We've met with him and there are a lot of positive ideas that were shared," Scioscia said. "He's going to make adjustments. One thing about Scotty is that he's always been able to adapt and right now he has been in a little bit of a funk, but he feels strong and he feels healthy. It's just that consistency and the command of his pitches that has eluded him right now."

Neither Shields nor Justin Speier is at his best right now, but Scioscia will continue to trust one or the other with the setup role. Dustin Moseley, Chris Bootcheck and Darren Oliver will stay in middle relief roles for now.

"Right now, I think they're in a little bit of a funk but I think Justin is doing a terrific job and Shields is really just a hair off," Scioscia said. "When they get back in sync they will be as effective as ever and the only way to get them back in sync is to keep them out there pitching."

Injury update: X-rays on Casey Kotchman's left hand were negative and he was diagnosed with a bruised left thumb and a sprained left middle finger. Kotchman was hit in the left hand by a Mariano Rivera pitch late Wednesday night. He actually was swinging at the ball when it hit him.

Kotchman finished out his ninth-inning at-bat, striking out. He was not in the starting lineup Thursday and is being listed as day-to-day.

"It's obviously a good sign if nothing is broken, but sometimes a sprained ligament it could (make) it tough to do some of the things you need," Scioscia said. "We're going to take it one step at a time and see where we are." ...

Chone Figgins continues to show improvement with the sprained left wrist he suffered Tuesday. Figgins, whose wrist had been bothering him for a month, injured himself on a check swing.

"He can certainly pinch run if we need him," Scioscia said. "He will see if he can squeeze a glove and that will be the first step to see if he can play some defense."