BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Valenzuela to Report to Midland Today

Fernando Valenzuela was scheduled to report to the Angels’ double-A Midland farm club today, after his representatives and the Angels agreed on terms of a minor league contract for the 30-year-old left-hander.

Dan O’Brien, Angel senior vice president, said that Valenzuela will make “a couple of starts” for the Texas League club and move up to triple-A Edmonton if all goes well. The date of Valenzuela’s first start for Midland will be determined by Midland officials after they assess Valenzuela’s fitness.

Valenzuela last pitched June 12 in an 8-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers that left his record at 0-2. He was put on the disabled list a day later after tests revealed an abnormality in the flow of blood to his heart. He was cleared to resume pitching last week but balked at reporting to the minor leagues for longer than a 20-day rehabilitation assignment. The Angels, believing he needed more time to pitch himself back into shape, released him last Friday.

Under the new agreement, Valenzuela would be free to go elsewhere if he isn’t recalled by the Angels within 30 days of his first minor league start.

“I get back to what I initially said some time ago, that he did win 13 games last year,” O’Brien said when asked why the Angels gave Valenzuela another chance.

Left-hander Scott Bailes (sprained right foot) threw off the mound Thursday and felt no discomfort. He will throw again today or Sunday. . . . Former Angel Mike Witt, on the disabled list because of a sore right elbow, expects to make a few rehabilitation starts before pitching for the Yankees again. He will probably need surgery to correct the problem. . . . Luis Polonia said his goal the rest of the season is to hit between .340-.350, steal 30 bases, score 50 runs and get 30 to 35 RBIs. Hitting instructor Deron Johnson said those goals aren’t out of the question. “He did well the first half. He can do it,” Johnson said.