Rogers Rejects Angel Request and Is Released

Former Montreal right-hander Steve Rogers, who had made five starts for the Angels’ Edmonton farm team, rejected an offer to continue pitching there and was given his release Tuesday.

Angel Manager Gene Mauch said Rogers had pitched well in only one of the five starts, allowing 15 earned runs and 42 hits in his 35 innings.

“The consensus of opinion was that at this time he couldn’t outpitch anyone we have here,” Mauch said, alluding to the Angels’ rotation. “We wanted him to stick around in case of a snag (with the rotation), but he wanted to pursue a major league job.”

Dick Moss, Rogers’ attorney, said he was confident there would be interest in Rogers.

“The Angels asked Steve to stay at Edmonton, but Steve felt he had pitched well and finished this spring training phase,” Moss said. “He feels that he’s ready to move back up.”

The Angels had signed the 35-year-old Rogers on June 3 after he was released by Montreal. He had a career record of 158-151 with the Expos.