BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : DiSarcina Opens as No. 1 Shortstop

Gary DiSarcina is still a rookie, and he says he is not used to things being handed to him. But the Angels’ starting shortstop job has been--unless Dick Schofield can wrest it back.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity,” said DiSarcina, 24, who batted .310 at triple-A Edmonton last season. “I just take it as if I’m trying to make the club. If I get caught up in what I hear, I won’t be able to stay focused and do what I’m capable of doing.”

Schofield has been the regular shortstop for eight seasons, but Manager Buck Rodgers is giving DiSarcina first shot at the job. Schofield hit .225 last season, 30 percentage points lower than his career-high .255 the year before. Then, after an unsuccessful free-agent year, the Angels signed him to only a one-year contract.

“I don’t agree with it, but they don’t care what I think,” Schofield said. “I’m just going to play, and do what Dick Schofield can do. I always thought there was competition anyway.”

DiSarcina also sees it that way, as a competition.

“I’ve still got to be good enough,” he said. “Dick’s been here eight years. You just don’t get a job handed to you over a good player like he is.”

Outfielder Shawn Abner left camp Sunday because of the death of his father, Ben Abner, 51, of a heart attack Saturday in Mechanicsburg, Pa. Abner is expected to return to camp later this week.

Pitcher Joe Grahe and infielder Luis Sojo were the only unsigned players in camp as the Angels’ deadline today for contract negotiations approached. The team is close to an agreement with both players, team spokesman Tim Mead said.