While Matt Shoemaker took what he called a "big step" in his recovery from a left rib-cage strain Saturday, Josh Hamilton continued to spin his wheels in his recovery from right rib-cage and chest injuries that could sideline the Angels left fielder for the American League division series.
Hamilton said Wednesday that he had "no doubt" he would be ready for next Thursday's playoff opener, even though he has sat out all but one game since Sept. 5. Manager Mike Scioscia, however, has plenty of doubt.
Asked Saturday whether he is as confident as Hamilton is about playing, Scioscia said, rather bluntly, "No."
Scioscia met with Hamilton before Saturday night's game 2-1 loss to the Seattle Mariners in 11 innings.
"We talked with Josh, and he knows what he needs to do and what we need to see for him to be ready," Scioscia said. "We're hopeful, but he has to show us some things, particularly from a health aspect, because if you jump the gun on this he could be setting himself back, especially if we get past first round."
Hamilton threw Friday and ran and took dry swings Saturday, but continued discomfort in his chest prevented him from taking batting practice for a fourth straight day.
The team's evaluation of Hamilton probably will run all the way to Thursday morning, when the Angels have to submit their division series roster.
Hamilton hopes to hit off live pitching next week.
"He needs to be able to run pain-free, to throw pain-free, and to do it proficiently," Scioscia said. "I think we're seeing that. We want to see the nice free swing that is not restricted, and you want to see how he rebounds from it. There are some things I think we can find out in some workouts."
If Hamilton, who is batting .263 with 10 homers and 44 runs batted in, is not ready for the division series, Collin Cowgill would probably start in left field, with C.J. Cron and either Efren Navarro or Brennan Boesch platooning at designated hitter.
The prognosis for Shoemaker looked better after he extended his long-toss program to 200-250 feet Saturday, the final step before the right-hander throws off a mound.
"The way it's going, I'm very optimistic about pitching in the playoffs," Shoemaker said.
"The tightness or soreness is still there, but it's just about gone. I barely feel it. Each day, it's gotten better."
Barring setback, Shoemaker expects to throw off a mound Sunday or Monday. Jered Weaver will start Game 1 of the division series. C.J. Wilson, who looked sharp in a six-inning, one-run, four-hit effort Saturday night, is lined up to start Game 2, so Shoemaker probably wouldn't pitch until Game 3 next Sunday.
Asked whether the tightness and pain he is feeling now is something he can pitch through, Shoemaker said, "Oh, sure."
If Shoemaker can regain the form that helped him go 16-4 with a 3.04 earned-run average, 124 strikeouts and 24 walks in 136 innings, it would be a huge boost to a rotation that has been plagued by injury and inconsistency.
The Angels clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs on Friday, but all of their starters played Saturday — though Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Kole Calhoun, Erick Aybar, Howie Kendrick and David Freese were gone by the eighth inning — and many are expected to play in Sunday's regular-season finale.
Scioscia wanted to "maintain the integrity of the game" for the Mariners and Oakland Athletics, who are fighting for a wild-card berth, but more important, he wants the Angels to stay sharp going into the playoffs.
"There's no way you can put bubble wrap on guys for six days and then say, 'OK, let's go out and play,'" Scioscia said. "It's going to be tough enough with a three-day lag, let alone turning it into a five- or six-day lag. You have to get into the flow of the game and keep your edge."
mike.digiovanna@latimes.com
Twitter: @MikeDiGiovanna
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