ANGELS : McCaskill: Recovery of Elbow Is Complete

Pitching two scoreless innings in Wednesday’s intrasquad game didn’t represent a half-step forward for Angel pitcher Kirk McCaskill. He’s not taking any half measures this spring, so sure and strong does he feel after undergoing surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow in October.

“I don’t consider it a recovery. For me, it’s full steam ahead, no steps taken,” McCaskill said. “That was all out. Full steam ahead. Everything good. Cliche No. 14.”

The 29-year-old right-hander’s effort was hardly run-of-the-mill. He allowed one hit and got Kent Anderson on a called third strike, earning an asterisk next to his name on Manager Doug Rader’s lineup card.

“He was very, very good. His location was good, he changed speeds well and he did a real fine job,” Rader said. “The two pitchers that pitched the best were McCaskill and (Cliff) Young, although everybody else did at least a good job.”

McCaskill’s Gray team lost to the Blue team, 2-1, but the result was unimportant. What mattered was that he pitched without pain and under something resembling game conditions. Discomfort and stiffness before the surgery had limited his range of motion and cut his innings to 174 1/3.

“I feel good and it’s good to get back out there,” he said. “It’s kind of different without the (batting practice) cages. . . . I feel fine and I just want to keep going.”

Rader also awarded an asterisk to Blue team left-hander Young, who allowed one hit in two innings. That should help Young as he competes with Mike Fetters, Matt Keough, Scott Bailes and Mark Eichhorn for the final spot in the bullpen. Bryan Harvey, Jeff Robinson, Bob McClure and Floyd Bannister appear to have won jobs.

“Whether (Young) can be moved into a closer’s role remains to be seen,” Rader said. “He’s got the kind of arm where he can pitch every day. If you had a dream team, he’d get 162 saves.”

Dave Winfield, the Blue team’s designated hitter, hit a long home run to left field off Eichhorn. “Today was productive,” he said. “At least I got a few good swings. . . . As long as I get 50 at-bats, something like that, you’re probably in pretty good shape.”

Jack Howell played second base and caught for the Blue squad. Howell, who was four for four Tuesday, singled in his first at-bat Wednesday before grounding out. “The greatest compliment you can give an umpire or a catcher is that you didn’t notice them,” Rader said. “You knew Jackie was catching, but you didn’t notice.”

Rader praised the good defensive play in the first two games but declined to predict a reduction in Angel errors. They committed 142 in 1990.

Jim Abbott’s $312,500 contract and Junior Felix’s $310,000 deal were the most lucrative of eight agreements reached by Angel players Tuesday. Felix, who was acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays in December, doubled his 1990 salary.

Dante Bichette signed for $185,000 plus incentive clauses based on plate appearances and games played. He could earn an increase of $85,000 from 1990.

Fetters signed for $120,000, an increase of $20,000, and Anderson for $165,000, up $60,000 from 1990.

Three players signed split contracts for different salary levels in the minor and major leagues. Joe Grahe will get $37,000 in the minors or $105,000 if he plays in the majors; Luis Sojo will get $62,500 in the minors or $110,000 in the majors, and Lee Stevens is at $60,000 or $117,500. Bobby Rose was renewed at a split rate of $42,500 or $107,500.