Angels look to make moves

The July 31 non-waiver trading deadline is 86 days away, but Los Angeles Angels general manager Bill Stoneman is already perusing the market for an early-bird special.

A hip injury that will sideline Garret Anderson for at least another month and a hand injury that could sideline Howie Kendrick for another three weeks – combined with Shea Hillenbrand’s struggles – have thrust the Angels into their annual search-for-a-bat mode two months earlier than usual.

Among the players the Angels are believed to be interested in are Colorado third baseman Garrett Atkins and outfielders Brad Hawpe and Jeff Baker, outfielders Kevin Mench (Milwaukee), Jacque Jones (Chicago Cubs), Pat Burrell (Philadelphia) and Emil Brown (Kansas City), and third basemen Morgan Ensberg (Houston) and Edwin Encarnacion (Cincinnati).

Boosting their leverage in trade talks is a surplus of starting pitchers – with the return of Bartolo Colon and Jered Weaver and strong performances from Joe Saunders and Dustin Moseley, the Angels’ rotation goes seven deep. Right-hander Ervin Santana could be the Angels’ best bargaining chip, a pitcher who, when packaged with another good player, could bring a hitter of Atkins’ caliber.

Marlins will press on

The Florida Marlins said their quest for a new baseball-only ballpark will continue in South Florida.

One day after Florida’s annual state legislative session ended without a deal for a retractable-roof stadium that would open in time for the 2011 season, the team released a brief statement expressing disappointment with lawmakers. A bill that would have provided the money passed the state House last month, but never got through the Senate.

Clearing the bases

St. Louis pitcher Chris Carpenter, sidelined since opening day with an elbow injury, will undergo arthroscopic surgery after suffering a setback in his rehab program and will be out at least three months. … The Texas Rangers placed right-hander Kevin Millwood on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring injury.