Angels Sign Left-Hander Bannister

The Angels moved to fill a need for a left-handed relief pitcher Wednesday by signing 35-year-old Floyd Bannister, who pitched in Japan last season after undergoing shoulder surgery in 1989.

Bannister agreed to a one-year, incentive-loaded deal that could be worth a reported $1.15 million in 1991. Bannister’s base salary is $250,000, but he could earn an additional $450,000 by making the opening-day roster. The Angels have options for 1992 at $1.3 million and 1993 at $1.6 million, including incentives.

“Even though there is some risk, the fact is, I have little or no doubt he will achieve most of the levels in the contract,” said Dan O’Brien, Angel senior vice president. “A lot have to do with the first year and his health. He had a rotator problem that is more or less behind him.”

A starter for most of his career, Bannister had his best season in 1983, when he was 16-10 with a 3.35 earned-run average and 193 strikeouts for the American League West champion Chicago White Sox. In 1982, one of four seasons with the Seattle Mariners, he led the American League in strikeouts with 209 and appeared in the All-Star game. His career record is 133-142 with an ERA of 4.03 in 13 years with the Houston Astros, Mariners, White Sox and Kansas City Royals.

He appeared in 14 games for the Royals in 1989 before his operation. The Royals bought out the final year of his contract for $100,000 after he earned $900,000 in each of the previous two years. He was 12-13 in 1988.

The Angels plan to use Bannister as a middle reliever and spot starter, said Mike Port, executive vice president and general manager. A role as a starter is possible “down the line,” he said, emphasizing that the Angels want to keep their starting rotation intact.

Bannister said that without incentives, he stands to make considerably less than he did last season with the Yakult Swallows.

“Basically it’s a make-good contract and an opportunity to come back to the United States to pitch,” said Bannister, who was with the White Sox for two seasons when Angel Manager Doug Rader was a coach with the team. .

Bannister pitched only 49 innings for the Swallows last season and was 3-2 with a 4.04 ERA. He left in June after his half-year contract expired, and the team released him when he refused to sign a month-to-month or week-to-week contract, he said.

Times staff writer Ross Newhan contributed to this story.