Angels activate Salmon, Cook

ANAHEIM, Calif., Sept. 2 (UPI) -- The Anaheim Angels got some reinforcements Sunday as they fight for a postseason spot, activating outfielders Tim Salmon and Julio Ramirez and southpaw Dennis Cook from the 15-day disabled list.

Anaheim, which has a 2 1/2-game lead over Seattle in the American League wild-card race, also recalled lefthander Mark Lukasiewicz from Triple-A Salt Lake of the Pacific Coast League.

Salmon missed 16 games with a deep bone bruise in his left hand after being hit in a game against Toronto.

The Angels did not miss a beat in his absence, going 10-6 without the 34-year-old slugger. They trail first-place Oakland by 3 1/2

games in the AL West.

Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said Salmon could see playing time during this week's road trip to Tampa and Baltimore.

"I was very happy about everything with Tim," Scioscia said, "not only the way he felt where he had no discomfort, but with the way he was hitting. We'll probably get him some simulated activity, a few batting-practice sessions, and work him into a game. I think that's the best course of action for us right now."

After hitting .183 in April with two home runs and 11 RBI, he has hit .325 with 16 homers and 65 RBI since, raising has season average to .297.

Cook, 39, has not pitched since July 5 because of a torn left labrum. The injury was believed to be season-ending, but he went 0-1 with a 17.18 ERA in two rehabilitation starts for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga in the California League. Cook is 1-1 with a 2.86 ERA in 33 relief appearances for Anaheim.

Ramirez, sidelined since June 16 with a strained left calf, is hitting .292 with a home run and five RBI in 12 games with the Angels. He spent most of the season with Salt Lake, batting .273 with two homers and 10 RBI in 39 games.