Spring Training / Angels : Kipper May Make the Big Leap to Majors

Pat Clements seems to have completed a jump from the Double-A Eastern League to the role of left-handed short man in the Angel bullpen.

When it comes to jumps, however, left-hander Bob Kipper is attempting one that’s even a bit longer.

Kipper, the Angels’ No. 1 choice in the 1982 amateur draft, has not pitched in any league higher than Class A. He was 18-8 at Redwood of the California League last year.

Now 20, he has pitched 11 scoreless innings this spring, allowing only three hits. Kipper worked three innings as the Angels lost to Seattle Tuesday, 4-0.

Pitching coach Marcel Lachemann cited the ability of Manager Gene Mauch and catcher Bob Boone to handle young pitchers and said: “The fact that Kipper has pitched only A ball will not be a determining factor (in his bid to make the staff).

“He’s shown poise. Plus, Gene has had great success with young pitchers, and Boone can make it seem like they have 20 years of experience.”

Kipper’s future is as a starter, but he will make the 1985 staff as a starter only if physical ailments prevent Ken Forsch from opening the season and/or Tommy John is traded.

Lachemann said that Kipper also has a shot as a left-handed middle man, picking up for a right-handed starter, which might force the opposing team to make midgame lineup changes, depleting the bench earlier than most managers would like.

Would Kipper get enough work in that capacity? Would his development be retarded?

“Those are things we’ll have to weigh,” Lachemann said. “We have his best interest at heart, but we want to leave here with the 10 best pitchers. If we feel he can fill the role, he’ll be one of them.”

Forsch, trying to shake an elbow strain that has limited his exhibition work to four innings, threw sliders for 15 minutes on the sideline. He then said:

“I still felt it (the discomfort) might have been there if I had thrown harder, but it felt good. It definitely felt better. The next step is to see how it reacts, how it feels tomorrow.

“I plan to play catch, then throw again on the sideline Thursday. We want to make sure it’s completely sound before I throw in a game again.”

Angel Notes Mike Witt struck out 7 in a five-inning stint as Tuesday’s starter, but also allowed 7 hits and the 4 runs. . . . Juan Beniquez, sidelined for nine days with a groin pull, is back running and hitting but will not play before Friday at the earliest. . . . Dodger scout Jerry Stephenson renewed his spring pursuit of the Angels, 24 hours after the general managers, Al Campanis and Mike Port, had talked by phone. . . . On rumors from Vero Beach that the Angels are willing to trade third baseman Doug DeCinces, Port said: “We’ve received sketchy inquiries about DeCinces but we’re not offering him around, and he’s not available--unless we were offered 4/5ths of a rotation or the right side of an infield.” . . . Port said that the Toronto Blue Jays had called to ask about the availability of a middle relief pitcher, which the Angels may be able to provide. A numbers’ game figures to leave two or three veterans in jeopardy, particularly if Pat Clements and Bob Kipper make the staff. . . . Frank LaCorte, who had hoped to impress the Angels or another club in the wake of his disappointing 1984 campaign, remains sidelined with a sore shoulder.