Game of catch is a baby step for Angels' Shoemaker
Oakland's Jonny Gomes can't catch a ball hit by the Angels' Kole Calhoun in the first inning.
OAKLAND - Matt Shoemaker continues to take small steps, although the Angels still have no idea where they will lead. Shoemaker played light catch Monday, the first time he had thrown a baseball at all in the week since suffering a strained left oblique. Apparently the Angels took the baby step of increasing Shoemaker's activity because he was feeling improvement. 'Feeling good ... but still sore,' Shoemaker said before playing catch. 'Last two days I've noticed the best progress, getting into a lot of physical activity, moving around. Still no timetable, but I feel very optimistic about getting on a mound again.' The chances of Shoemaker pitching in a game during the final week of the regular season, though, are 'very remote,' Manager Mike Scioscia said. More likely is he'll test himself during bullpen sessions and a simulated game. Shoemaker said he'd like to pitch in a game before the end of the season, but he knows that may not be possible. 'I would really like to do that if it's ready,' he said, 'but I can't say it will be in the next six or seven days.' The Angels don't have to make a decision on Shoemaker for the playoff roster until the morning of Game 1 of the division series, Oct. 2. Even if they are unsure of his status, they could place him on the roster for the division series and then replace him if he's hurt. The risk to doing that is that he would then be ineligible for the ALCS. HAMILTON UPDATE Josh Hamilton, who is out because of pain in his rib cage area, hit off a tee Monday, Scioscia said. 'He hasn't gotten into baseball activities where you have a huge opportunity to read where he is, but he's starting to swing again, which is a good sign,' Scioscia said. Hamilton said last weekend that he was aiming to play by Wednesday, but Scioscia said Monday that timetable seemed 'a little aggressive.' AND KENDRICK Howie Kendrick sat out because of a tight left hamstring, which he hurt covering first base Sunday. 'I don't think it's anything major,' Kendrick said. 'I felt like I could have played, so no big deal. It's better to be cautious than go out and play.' Kendrick said he played two innings with the injury before coming out of Sunday's game. NOTES Mike Trout collected his 108th RBI from the No. 2 spot, moving into the top five on the single-season list for RBI out of the No. 2 hole. The record (since 1914, as far back as the stats go) is 114, shared by Eddie Matthews (1959) and Alex Rodriguez (1998). ... Albert Pujols reached the 1,600-RBI milestone with his eighth-inning three-run homer. Pujols, who has 1,602 RBI, became the 33rd player to reach that milestone. It was career homer No. 520 which leaves him one behind Willie McCovey, Frank Thomas and Ted Williams, who are tied for 18th all-time. Contact the writer: jlfletcher@ocregister.com
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