ANGELS : Bannister Takes Advantage of the Rain

Thunderstorms forced the Angels to cancel infield and outfield practice Friday, for the second successive day, but the deluge hasn’t been a washout for pitcher Floyd Bannister, who is returning to the major leagues after undergoing shoulder surgery and spending a season in Japan.

“The rain is perfect for me,” he said. “It gave me a chance to work for 30 minutes with (pitching coach Marcel) Lachemann.

“If you throw in batting practice, there are so many things going on, he might watch you only a minute or two. It’s easy to throw 10 great pitches and one or two bad ones. This way, if you get out of sync, he’s right there to spot it and correct it.”

Knowing that Manager Doug Rader has already called him a “given” in the bullpen has encouraged the 35-year-old left-hander.

“I’ll take as much confidence in this position as I can get,” said Bannister, who was 4-1 for the Kansas City Royals in 1989 before a torn rotator cuff ended his season. “I’m very fortunate to be here with Lachemann and work with him. You always pick up bad habits compensating (for weakness) after surgery, and he hurt his arm so he knows what it’s like.

“My arm feels good now. The big thing for me is to get back to throwing free and easy. It’s easy to get the idea to throw as hard as you can. But for me, everything has to be in sync before I can start airing it out.”

First baseman Wally Joyner said the rain hasn’t set back his rehabilitation from the broken kneecap that cut short his 1990 season.

“It would have hurt me if I hadn’t come early,” said Joyner, who reported last week with pitchers, catchers and other injured players. “But I’ve gotten off to a great start, so it hasn’t been a problem for me.

“Obviously, I’d much rather be doing something else, but you can still work on hitting and the mental side of the game.”

Ron Tingley welcomed the two days of rain “because it means I don’t get further behind.” He can scarcely afford more reversals in his longshot attempt to win the backup catching job. His assignment to Edmonton last October means he is in camp as a nonroster player, and his activity has been limited by back spasms.

“I know they’re really high on John (Orton) but I don’t think they need to rush John,” said Tingley, who played only five games with the Angels last season after his July recall from Edmonton. “He’s their catcher of the future, but Lance (Parrish) is going to catch two more years and you don’t want your future catcher to sit and watch Lance. . . .

“It’s going to be interesting, but I’ve got to get myself healthy first before I think about competing.”

Rader said it’s unlikely that the infields will be dry enough for practice until Sunday. Today’s schedule includes meetings, batting practice, running and sideline throwing.

“I’m concerned not with the amount of work the pitchers are getting but the general feel for infield play and the legs of everybody in general,” Rader said. “We’re doing the best we can as far as getting work in by running and throwing.”

Outfielder Mark Davis signed a one-year contract, leaving 11 players unsigned. Davis hit .266 at double-A Midland and .368 in 35 games with triple-A Edmonton.