BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Less Pain Expected for Don Robinson

Don Robinson, the former San Francisco Giant pitcher whose resume includes eight stints on the disabled list, has a “leg up” on one of two open spots in the rotation, as Manager Buck Rodgers sees it.

But which leg? The right one has caused him to go on the disabled list twice.

“He’s the Bionic Man,” Rodgers said in Mesa, Ariz. “He’s going to have problems. We just hope they’re not major problems.”

Robinson, 34, who spent almost a month on the disabled list because of a pulled hamstring last season and was slowed by a strained shoulder in workouts last spring, says he feels good this spring.

“I came better prepared than years in the past,” he said. “I threw more, I did more work on my legs. That’s where most of the problems have been.”

His weight also appears to be down to about 250 pounds. However, his weight is one of few not listed on the clubhouse chart.

“I’ve seen Don Robinson a lot heavier than that,” Rodgers said. “I’ve seen him pitch and pitch fairly effectively at 20 to 25 pounds heavier. Whatever he’s lost, there’s less stress on his knee and everything else.”

One other thing will change this season. After 14 years, he is in the American League for the first time. Robinson’s career batting average of .235 is the best among active pitchers with at least 100 at-bats, and he has 13 homers.

“I’m going to miss that,” Robinson said.

Rodgers’ cautious approach to the rehabilitation of Chuck Finley after the left-hander’s toe surgery in December means that Finley will not make a second consecutive appearance as the opening-day starter.

“It’s not worth the gamble to try to pitch him opening day for just a ceremonial deal,” Rodgers said. “Common sense dictates there’s no reason in getting him prepared for opening day. It’s no different from the fourth day when you’re counting wins and losses.”

Rodgers hopes to get Finley five or six innings in the Freeway Series and have him take the fourth or fifth turn of the season. In case Finley isn’t able to start the season in the rotation, Rodgers says he is looking for a sixth starter during the spring.

Finley has yet to throw off the mound, although he said that he hopes he will take the mound later this week.

The opening-day assignment, Rodgers said, will go to Jim Abbott or Mark Langston.