Contact lenses

"I'd been uncomfortable in the past," Rodriguez said of pitching with contacts.

"Sometimes I have a hard time picking up my target because I look like this (out of the corner of his eye).

Then when I go into my motion, it's like they (the contacts) slip sometimes." So far, Rodriguez said he hasn't had any problems pitching with his contacts in this season.

NOTES Scioscia said he and pitching coach Mike Butcher will talk with right-hander Ervin Santana about making some minor changes in his pre-game routine on the road, particularly involving the down time between finishing his bullpen warm-up and facing the home team's first hitter.

Santana is 20-5 with a 3.07 ERA in his career at Angel Stadium, 9-12 with a 6.65 ERA on the road (including a loss to the Indians Tuesday).

His next scheduled start is Sunday at Fenway Park.

… Bullpen coach Orlando Mercado has left the team temporarily and might undergo surgery for a torn Achilles tendon suffered this spring.

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It seems that the mother-of-two's healthy lifestyle is responsible for her new look and new outlook.

On her recent trip to Sin City, the single mother stayed away from prying eyes and enjoyed some privacy in a cabana around the hotel pool.

She then continued her innocent fun with her girlfriends on a shopping excursion.

A source told In Touch magazine the star was reveling in her approval from fans, saying, "Britney and two girlfriends went shopping at the Forum Shops.

Everywhere she went, crowds followed her.

There were virtually no photographers, just fans.

She smiled the whole time."But there is still trouble in Camp Britney.

Her manager, Larry Rudolf, is still monitoring her behavior closely and it is reportedly upsetting the free-spirited celeb.

A source commented, "There is tension.

He's been trying to get her help, and she doesn't feel she needs it.

It is tough love."Rudolf is the man responsible for Britney's hugely successful music career and good-girl image.

They parted ways during her marriage to Kevin Federline when Britney embraced a seedier public image.

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