L.A. CONFIDENTIAL.

Byline: -- Doug Padilla 

Early batting practice was underway Friday beneath the scorching afternoon sun, and many Angels players seemed anxious to get to work in the second half.

Juan Rivera, who looked to be rounding into form when the second half ended, crushed a number of pitches into the bullpens in left field. Darin Erstad, who has battled ankle problems all season and currently is on the disabled list, got in his hacks and seemed content to spray the ball to all fields.

Former Angels bench coach Joe Maddon was the only member of the Devil Rays' traveling party on the field and said hello to anybody and everybody he saw.

Howie Kendrick, who was recalled Friday as Kelvim Escobar went on the disabled list with elbow irritation, was part of the group taking early swings. Kendrick also was spraying to all fields. Whether he gets a chance to do it on a regular basis in the Angels' lineup remains to be seen.