Blyleven Faces Further Tests on Ailing Shoulder

Angel right-hander Bert Blyleven, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his pitching shoulder last October, will undergo further testing this week and might face another arthroscopic procedure next week.

Blyleven will return Wednesday to Centinela Hospital in Inglewood, where he underwent tests last week. A second arthroscopic procedure on his shoulder has tentatively been scheduled for next Tuesday by team orthopedic surgeon Lewis Yocum. Angel spokesman Tim Mead said if the surgery is performed, a determination would then be made whether Blyleven would need more extensive surgery.

“He was progressing on a conservative program after the surgery, but there was no change in strength and that pushed the (possible) need for this surgery,” Mead said.

Blyleven, who turned 40 on Saturday, was 8-7 with a 5.24 earned-run average last season. He last pitched on Aug. 10 and didn’t appear in any exhibition games.

Blyleven, who has 279 career victories, signed a contract extension a year ago that guarantees him $1.175 million this season. The Angels have options for 1992 and ’93 with a $250,000 buyout clause in ’92 and $300,000 in ’93.