Vladimir Guerrero

An offense that was already struggling to score runs received a major body blow Friday when Vladimir Guerrero was diagnosed with a torn pectoral muscle, an injury that sent the Angels slugger to the disabled list and will sideline him for at least a month and probably longer. "Obviously, short of Vlad needing surgery, this is a big blow," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "We'll see how he progresses. Some of the windows we've been given [for how long he'll be out] are optimistic; some are longer.

Despite the injuries that have decimated their pitching staff, the player the Angels miss most may be slugger Vladimir Guerrero. And Manager Mike Scioscia said Tuesday the timetable for Guerrero's return from a torn muscle in his chest remains nothing more than a guess at this point. "Right now he's at risk even swinging the bat," Scioscia said. "This is a significant injury he has.

There has been speculation that the torn chest muscle that sent Vladimir Guerrero to the disabled list April 18 will sideline him for much more than a month, with one Internet report claiming the injury can knock out NFL offensive linemen for entire seasons. "We're fortunate Vlad doesn't have to block 325-pound defensive linemen," General Manager Tony Reagins said, dismissing such speculation. "The reports on Vlad have been positive. He's gaining more strength and flexibility in the area.

Ticket sales at Class-A Lake Elsinore could receive a nice boost this weekend. Angels slugger Vladimir Guerrero, out since April 16 because of a torn right pectoral muscle, is expected to begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment Friday for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, which begins a four-game series at Lake Elsinore that night. Guerrero, who will probably be activated next Monday, will probably have a big league carpool buddy on Friday.

Vladimir Guerrero will begin a three-game minor league rehabilitation assignment with Class A Rancho Cucamonga tonight, and the Angels slugger is expected to be activated for Monday night's game against the Chicago White Sox in Anaheim. How Guerrero bounces back from the torn right chest muscle that has sidelined him since April 16 will go a long way toward determining the Angels' fortunes this season. If Guerrero is anything close to the feared masher who hit at least .

The evening was rather warm, and a bit breezy. The fans were languid at times, and understandably so. The kids ran up, down and around the grass slope beyond the box seats. And then one guy stepped to bat, and everyone snapped to attention. He wore an unfamiliar blue shirt, with a random number -- 43 -- on the back. The scoreboard did not display his name. But one look at his gait, his swing, his hair, his smile, and everyone knew.

Vladimir Guerrero was 11 for 39 on the Angels' last trip, raising his average from .246 to .260 entering Friday night, but he still doesn't look anything like the slugger of old. Guerrero, who sat out five weeks of April and May because of a torn chest muscle, is not driving the ball with any consistency. He has four extra-base hits -- and no home runs -- since coming off the disabled list May 25.

The Angels fired international scouting director Clay Daniel upon receiving information from baseball's investigative arm that connected him with improprieties in the signing of prospects in Venezuela, a source familiar with the probe said Friday. The source was granted anonymity because he is not authorized to discuss the issue publicly. The investigators appear focused on Daniel.

The Dodgers weren't the only Southland team with a superstar slugger who has been missing in action for much of the season. Vladimir Guerrero hardly resembled himself recently, even before he sheared his trademark dreadlocks. He had lost his characteristic pop, enduring a power outage so severe that his spot as the Angels' cleanup hitter appeared to be in jeopardy. Two robust swings of his bat later, it was back to Vladdy being Vladdy.

Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero played the outfield together Tuesday night. They were together again Wednesday undergoing MRI tests at the Orange Imaging Center, not exactly the place the Angels want their Nos. 3 and 4 hitters to be hanging out. Guerrero's visit was expected. The right fielder was pulled from Tuesday night's game in the eighth inning because of a muscle strain in the back of his left knee.