Angels’ McLemore to Have Surgery

Second baseman Mark McLemore, who was sidelined from May 24 to Aug. 16 because of a problem that ultimately required the removal of a vein from his right arm, will have exploratory surgery on his right elbow next week, the Angels said Thursday.

General Manager Mike Port said the two conditions are not related. He added that McLemore has experienced discomfort in the elbow since late last season and may have a fracture or bone chips that are not apparent in X-rays.

Port said the uncertainty surrounding McLemore may affect the Angels’ ability to trade at next week’s winter meetings in Atlanta, since it affects the one position where the team had some depth. He alluded to the still-promising McLemore and veteran second baseman Johnny Ray, who had an All-Star season in 1988.

Port said his original shopping list, of one or two starting pitchers and a power-hitting left fielder, has now been expanded to include a backup catcher because of the departure of free agent Bob Boone, who signed with the Kansas City Royals Wednesday.

The Angels’ current focus, Port said, is on free-agent pitchers Nolan Ryan and Bruce Hurst. Sources familiar with the owners’ information bank, where all free-agent offers are being filed, said the Angels have offered Hurst, a former Boston Red Sox left-hander, a 3-year contract worth $4.9 million. The other official bids for Hurst, according to the sources: St. Louis Cardinals, $5.1 million guaranteed for 3 years; Red Sox, $5 million guaranteed for 3, and San Diego Padres, $4.7 million guaranteed for 3.