Spring Training / Highlights : Stiffness in Howe’s Elbow Worse Than His Therapist Expected After Workout

Steve Howe walked out of the trainer’s room at Vero Beach, Fla., Tuesday morning and heard the inevitable question once again: How’s the elbow?

“It’s fine,” he said, lifting his left arm. “See?” Then he rolled his eyes.

Actually, the elbow was stiff. “Maybe more than we expected because he extended it more yesterday than he has all spring,” said physical therapist Pat Screnar.

Screnar added, though, that the plan remains for Howe to throw Thursday against Minnesota in the Dodgers’ last exhibition here before returning to L.A. for this weekend’s Freeway series against the Angels.

Tuesday, the Dodgers went to West Palm Beach for an exhibition against the Montreal Expos, only to have the game called because of rain. In the B-squad game played before it got too damp, Jim Wohlford’s home run off Larry White gave the Expos a 4-3 win.

Rick Langford, one of the major league’s most dependable starters before incurring a 1983 elbow injury, may have failed to gain a spot with the Oakland A’s this season.

The right-hander, who had only seven starts in 1983 and three in 1984 after taking a regular turn with the A’s since 1977, was hit hard Tuesday in an 11-6 exhibition loss to the Cleveland Indians.

“He would have made our job a lot easier if he would have pitched well today,” A’s Manager Jackie Moore said. “Right now, I just don’t know (if he’ll make the roster).”

Langford made at least 32 starts (not including the strike-shortened 1981 season, when he had 24) from 1977-82, and led the American League with 290 innings pitched in 1980.

For a team that had the worst record in major league baseball last year and plays in a ballpark often compared unfavorably to Siberia, selling tickets is a problem.

So the San Francisco Giants have whipped up a new ad campaign for the new season. The campaign lauds Candlestick Park as a place to enjoy the sun and features a “Golden Hands” jacket patch for fans who catch foul balls.

Also on the list of goodies are the popular Croix de Candlestick, begun last year for those who survive an extra-inning night game, and “tan tickets.”

“Tan tickets” can be purchased in advance for $5 and exchanged at any weekday game for the best seat available, including the prime $8 box seats.

“This year, Giants fans will experience something new: Sunshine!” cheers a 20-second broadcast spot. It features a camera panning across a happy, sun-baked crowd.

To improve ticket sales, the team has scheduled all but 17 of its 80 home games during the day. Many fans shudder when faced with the prospect of spending an evening in Candlestick, located on San Francisco Bay and the target of icy winds and chilling fog as the sun sets on summer evenings.

The St. Louis Cardinals announced they are placing right-handed pitcher Rick Ownbey on the 21-day disabled list, dating back to March 28. Ownbey has an injured right hamstring muscle.

Tony Perez, who Cincinnati Manager Pete Rose said would make the team “unless he broke both legs,” was signed to a one-year contract by the Reds. The 42-year-old Perez, who will be used mainly as a pinch hitter, had been classified as an “invitee” at spring training.

The San Diego Padres announced that Dave Dravecky, who has bounced between the bullpen and starting rotation the last two years, will begin this year as a starter. Lingering pain in the right-hander’s elbow prevents Dravecky from throwing every day.

Left-hander Larry McWilliams has agreed to a five-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 31-year-old starter was 12-11 with a 2.93 ERA last season.