BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Orton Ready to Be No. 1

Once nervous about being the Angels’ regular catcher, John Orton now likes the idea. Having primed himself psychologically for a promotion from backup status, Orton prepared physically, too, with a tough conditioning program last winter.

“I feel I’m ready to play every day,” he said. “I can honestly say that now. I couldn’t have said that a year ago.”

His .193 career batting average has been the greatest hindrance to his progress. Long regarded as a solid defensive catcher, Orton’s prospects for winning the starting job have never been better than this spring, with 35-year-old Lance Parrish coming off a .216 season and with a $2.25-million salary.

“I definitely feel good about my chances,” Orton said after Tuesday’s rain-abbreviated workout at Gene Autry Park in Mesa, Ariz. “Offensively, this is the best I’ve felt in spring training. I’ve worked hard on my swing. It’s hard to tell off batting practice, but I feel if I get a chance to play every day, .240 to .270 could be my range. I’d be happy with that, especially with some RBIs.”

Orton’s locker in the Angels’ clubhouse adjoins Parrish’s, and Ron Tingley and Mike Fitzgerald are not far away. Orton said the proximity of his rivals hasn’t caused any tension.

“You know there’s competition, but I don’t think it causes friction,” he said. “Catchers stick together. Every catcher I’ve met, we’ve all had that camaraderie.”

Second baseman Luis Sojo, the Angels’ last unsigned player, agreed to a one-year contract worth $180,000 plus incentives.

“A little less than Ryne Sandberg,” he joked, referring to the record deal signed by the Cub second baseman on Monday.

Mark Langston, Jim Abbott, Joe Grahe, Don Robinson and Bryan Harvey are among the pitchers scheduled to work in today’s intrasquad game. Langston, Abbott, Willie Fraser and Harvey are scheduled to pitch in Friday’s exhibition opener against the Padres at Yuma. Robinson, Scott Bailes, Tim Fortugno, Mike Erb and Chuck Crim are scheduled to pitch Saturday.