It Could Be DH or DL for G.A.

TEMPE, Ariz. — The chances of Garret Anderson opening the season in left field seem remote, and the odds of him starting at designated hitter are dwindling.

The Angels were hoping Anderson, sidelined since March 7 because of strained tissue in his left foot, would play Thursday, but after he ran Wednesday, the Angels pushed his return back to this weekend.

“He’s made a lot of progress, but unfortunately not enough to go out and bust out of the box like we’d like him to,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “He doesn’t need a lot of playing time to get ready, but if this continues to linger into next week, we’re obviously going to have to look at some things.”

Anderson has only six at-bats this spring, and Scioscia believes he needs at least 25 “to start tracking pitches and to do what he needs to do.” The season opener is 10 days away.

If Anderson isn’t ready, the Angels could place him on the disabled list and have him remain in Arizona for extended spring-training games, or send him on a minor league rehabilitation assignment.

If Anderson opens on the DL, Tim Salmon’s chances of making the team and having a significant role increase dramatically. But if Anderson opens at DH, there would not appear to be much of a role for Salmon, who is attempting to come back from shoulder and knee surgery.

Scioscia said Anderson’s gait is “beginning to return to normal,” but there is some concern Anderson might overcompensate for the injury and hurt something else.

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The Angels, according to several sources, are searching for a veteran left-handed hitting reserve player and would be willing to part with reliever Esteban Yan or Kevin Gregg in a trade.

If Dallas McPherson opens the season at triple-A Salt Lake, four of the Angels’ five projected bench players -- the backup catcher (Jose Molina or Jeff Mathis), Edgardo Alfonzo, Robb Quinlan and Salmon -- would bat right-handed. Utility infielder Maicer Izturis is a switch-hitter.

The Angels would like more balance on the bench, and if they’re unable to make a trade, left-handed hitting veteran Curtis Pride’s chances of making the team might improve.

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Bartolo Colon will make his first start for the Angels since returning from the World Baseball Classic, but it won’t be in today’s big league exhibition against Kansas City. He will pitch in the controlled environment of a minor league game in hopes of preventing the return of a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand.

“We want him to get to 90 pitches,” Scioscia said, “but we don’t want him throwing 30 pitches or more in an inning.”

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Second baseman Adam Kennedy was scratched from Thursday’s game because of a left knee infection. Kennedy, whose knee had been scraped up from sliding, is taking antibiotics and is listed as day to day. ... Ervin Santana gave up five runs and seven hits, struck out five and walked three in four innings of Wednesday’s 6-5, 10-inning exhibition loss to Oakland. Vladimir Guerrero and Juan Rivera hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning, and relievers J.C. Romero and Francisco Rodriguez each threw scoreless innings. ... Mathis, sidelined since getting hit in the left hand by a pitch Monday, caught the 10th inning and will catch Colon today.