Report: Test in 1987 Shows That Valenzuela Had Heart Irregularities

Fernando Valenzuela, who is on the Angels’ disabled list because of possible cardiac vessel abnormalities, had tests four years ago that revealed heart irregularities, it was reported Saturday.

Valenzuela had a routine treadmill test in September of 1987 that showed irregularity in his heart rate, the Orange County Register reported.

Valenzuela remained on the active list with the Dodgers, and all of his other treadmill tests from 1987 to September of 1990 showed a consistent heart rate.

However, before he joined the Angels on June 4, Valenzuela had a routine electrocardiogram that revealed some abnormalities, Angel team physician Jules Rasinski said.

Valenzuela, 30, was still signed to a one-year contract with an option for 1992. He started two games and lost both, giving up nine earned runs in less than seven innings.

Thursday, Valenzuela had a treadmill-thallium scan at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange that revealed possible vessel irregularities, according to Rasinski.

Valenzuela was then put on the 15-day disabled list.

“The last complete physical examination Fernando took was in September (1990) and whatever (records) we have have been made available to the Angels,” Dodger Executive Vice President Fred Claire said Saturday. “Anything that happened before that or in the past, it’s not really my place to comment on.”