Grich Stays With Angels; Contract Includes a Drug-Testing Clause

Second baseman Bobby Grich, who had filed for free agency, chose to remain with the Angels Monday, signing a one-year contract that includes a drug-testing clause.

Grich, 36, a Long Beach resident who has spent nine years with the Angels and is the club’s senior player in point of continuous service, said he would have left only as a last resort. “This was the only place I wanted to play,” he said.

Grich appeared in 144 games last year, batting .242 with 13 home runs and 53 runs batted in. He earned $700,000 in the final year of a three-year contract. He accepted a salary cut for 1986, but an incentive scale will allow him to earn $700,000 again if he plays the same number of games. He is again expected to play first and third base, as well as second.

Of the testing clause, General Manager Mike Port said: “Bobby has no (drug) problem and no reservations about proving he has no problem.”

The Angels, following a policy that all 26 major league teams are expected to adopt, told Grich that they would guarantee his salary only if he accepted the testing provision.

Grich said he was aware that the Major League Players Assn. opposes the clause and may challenge the contract but added: “If I’m a forerunner in this movement, so be it. If it’s a trend, it’s a good one. I think it’s healthy for the game in that it will help restore the confidence of the fans.”

The Angels are believed close to re-signing free agent pitcher Don Sutton, but there has been no movement in the negotiations with free agents Juan Beniquez and Donnie Moore.