Scioscia has sympathy for Randolph

Mike Scioscia and Willie Randolph were teammates for a little over a season with the Dodgers and still exchange Christmas cards every winter. So the Angels manager was understandably saddened, but not surprised, when the Mets fired Randolph as their manager late Monday night.

“It’s something that goes with the territory,” Scioscia said. “For all of us, the only job security we have is going to be performance. It’s just really the performance of the team [that] is our report card.”

And Randolph’s report card wasn’t exactly worthy of the honor roll. Not only did the Mets blow a seven-game division lead by losing 12 of their last 17 in September, but the National League’s highest-payroll team -- at $137.8 million -- got off to a slow start this season, falling to fourth in a division it was favored to win. Bench coach Jerry Manuel, a former big-league skipper, will take over on an interim basis.

“He’s got a great baseball mind,” said Scioscia, who exchanged pleasantries with Randolph on Monday but didn’t discuss baseball. “Anybody that knows Willie knows what a classy guy he is and what a great baseball guy he is. And you always feel a little bit when something like that happens.”

Escobar improving

Rehabbing right-hander Kelvim Escobar was back on a major league mound Tuesday for the first time since October, throwing 76 pitches in a workout he called “a big step for me.”

An 18-game winner in 2007, Escobar went on the disabled list in March with a torn muscle in his shoulder.

But Tuesday he threw 30 pitches to a catcher, then pitched a two-inning simulated game in which he faced four Angels hitters.

“I’m very pleased, very happy,” said Escobar, who threw fastballs, curveballs and changeups. “The most important thing [is] I felt stronger. The next few days are going to be the most important. See how my arm responds.”

Scioscia said the Angels will wait to see how Escobar feels in a day or two before scheduling another simulated game. If there are no setbacks, Escobar could be sent out on a minor-league rehab assignment before the end of the month.

Izturis streaking

Maicer Izturis’ first-inning single gave him hits in 15 of his last 16 games and 20 of his last 23, a streak that has raised his average more than 60 points. And as if he needed any additional help, he said the return of Chone Figgins to the lineup last week has made him even more confident at the plate.

“I have a little better idea with a player similar to me in front of me,” said Izturis, who bats second behind Figgins. “I look at how they pitch him, what type of pitches, the situation of the game, and I think that’s helped me.”

Izturis had lost the starting shortstop job to Erick Aybar before Aybar dislocated the pinkie on his right hand a month ago.

After Tuesday’s game, the Angels sent rookie infielder Sean Rodriguez to triple-A Salt Lake to make room for Aybar, who will be activated from the disabled list before tonight’s game.

But even with Aybar returning, Scioscia said it’s unlikely Izturis will be benched any time soon.

“If Izzy keeps swinging the bat, obviously you’re going to want to get him in there,” Scioscia said. “It’s going to give us a chance, if we have to, [to] move him around. He’s got a lot of versatility.

“I don’t think we’re going to just move him out.”

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kevin.baxter@latimes.com