Jones Not Returning to Angels : Outfielder Becomes Fifth Player Cut Loose Since End of Season

Another potential free agent became one in fact Friday when the Angels announced that they would not offer a 1987 contract to outfielder Ruppert Jones.

Jones, 31, who had an American League batting average of .230 after five seasons with Seattle, New York and Detroit, provided no surprises in his two years with the Angels. He batted .231 in 1985 and .229 in 1986.

The decision not to extend his contract was also no surprise. Although Jones was the left-handed half of a better-than-adequate platoon in right field with George Hendrick, he slipped in home run and RBI production in ’86. After finishing with 21 home runs and 67 RBIs in ‘85, Jones dropped to 17 and 49 in about the same number of at-bats.

And for the second season, Jones slumped in the second half. He was hitting .263 July 19, but he batted .219 in August and .214 in September, driving in just 12 runs during those two months.

In the American League playoffs against the Boston Red Sox, Jones hit .176 in six games.

The loss of Jones opens a roster spot, and maybe a starting spot, for the highly regarded Devon White. White, who appeared as a pinch-runner and defensive replacement for the Angels during the playoffs, batted .291 with 42 stolen bases in 112 games at Triple-A Edmonton.

Jones became the fifth veteran to be released by the Angels since the World Series, joining Terry Forster, Vern Ruhle, Rick Burleson and Doug Corbett.

Reggie Jackson is expected to become the sixth, although General Manager Mike Port has yet to clarify the club’s intentions for Jackson, whose five-year contract expired in October. Port said he plans to meet with Jackson next week.