ANGELS NOTEBOOK: VERSATILE ERSTAD BACK AS LEADING MAN.

Byline: Gordon Verrell Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - Darin Erstad is back in the leadoff spot in the batting order, but it's only short term, until the Angels generate a little more offensive spark, manager Mike Scioscia said.

Next year, however, Scioscia expects Erstad to lead off from opening day.

``With Mo (Vaughn) back, and Tim (Salmon) hopefully having a better year, leadoff is in the cards again for Ersty,'' Scioscia said.

``Ersty has the ability to bat anywhere from one to five, depending upon the surrounding cast. But I think his comfort level is at leadoff.''

Last year Estad become the first Angel to drive in 100 runs hitting in the No. 1 spot in the order. This year, rookie David Eckstein had led off 104 times, Erstad 24, including Tuesday night. Erstad has also hit in the second (70 games) and third (44) spots in the order.

Erstad went into Tuesday night's game needing to score a run for 500 in his career.

--Flying colors: Eckstein was in the No. 2 spot Tuesday night, where he'll remain for the time being.

``He's been productive offensively,'' Scioscia said. ``And, defensively, he's proven he can make plays at shortstop.

``He's answered whatever questions there were with flying colors.''

--Not just a reward: The Angels promoted four more players from their Triple-A team at Salt Lake City: third baseman Jose Fernandez, right- handers Brian Cooper and Matt Wise and catcher Jose Molina. Earlier they brought in right-hander Bart Miadich.

Scioscia says the additions are to help the club and no other reason.

``I hope these guys aren't looking at it as a reward or a free ride,'' Scioscia said. ``I don't want them thinking they're just reaping the benefits of having a good Triple-A season.''

Salt Lake was swept by Iowa in a four-game series to close the Pacific Coast League season, and that cost the Stingers a berth in the PCL postseason playoffs.

--Also: Right-hander Pat Rapp, who was struck on his right forearm by a line drive last Wednesday night in Kansas City, has improved to the point that he's expected to make the next scheduled start Saturday night against Minnesota. ``It looks like a go,'' Scioscia said. ... Shawn Wooten, bothered for some time by an injury to his left wrist, will have an MRI today and is likely through for the season. ``It's still very painful for him to swing,'' Scioscia said.

ANGELS vs. KANSAS CITY

Time: 7:05 p.m., at Edison Field.

TV/Radio: None; 570-AM, 1090-AM (Spanish).

Matchup: Ismael Valdes (8-9, 4.09 ERA) will start for the Angels against the Royals' Chad Durbin (7-13, 4.54). Valdes has one complete game this season and it was against the Royals, a 7-1 win June 1 at Anaheim. The only other time Valdes faced the Royals, last season, it didn't go as well: He was raked for eight earned runs in 4 1/3 innings. Durbin is winless in his past six starts despite allowing no more than four earned runs in any of those starts. However, he has allowed seven home runs his past eight starts. Durbin takes a losing streak of four games into tonight's start.

- Gordon Verrell

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ANGELS vs. KANSAS CITY (see text)