BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Schofield Says He’s Ready to Play

Shortstop Dick Schofield is expected back in the lineup today after missing three games because of a strained right groin muscle.

“He probably could have played (Saturday), but I wanted to wait for a warmer day,” Angel Manager Doug Rader said. “With a cool night, I’d just as soon give it an extra day.”

Schofield is eager to return. “I could probably play on it now, but it wouldn’t be 100%,” he said, “and if you do tweak it, you double the time you’re out in the first place. I’d like to play (today), but I’ll see what Doug decides.”

Dave Winfield, who missed his fifth consecutive start because of a strained right hamstring, said his return “isn’t far off.” However, he couldn’t say when it will be. Winfield has started only one of the past seven games.

“Mother Nature--or Father Nature, I don’t want to be sexist--says you’ve just got to watch yourself,” Winfield said. “You can’t come back quicker than it allows. . . . I come out every day trying. As long as we’re winning, that eases the burden.”

General Manager Mike Port denied reports by a local radio station that the Angels and Pittsburgh Pirates have discussed a deal involving Bobby Bonilla.

“It’s absolute, total fiction at this point in time,” Port said. “I haven’t spoken to Larry Doughty (Pittsburgh’s GM) since one conversation we had during the spring. Nor have I spoken to any other representative of the Pittsburgh organization on a business basis.”

Port also said he’s “not really” concerned over the mediocre defensive play of center fielder Junior Felix.

“The understandable comparison is to Devon White, but as capable as Devon was defensively, he struck out 100, 100-plus times,” Port said. “There are people less capable than Junior Felix playing center field in the major leagues right now. . . . Given some time out there he may not be too far behind Devon, and I really doubt he’s going to strike out 100 times.”