BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Langston Leaves Because of Blister

Mark Langston and Jim Abbott did not fare well Saturday, but each emerged relatively unscathed. The same can’t be said of the candidates for the last two spots in the Angels’ rotation.

Langston’s start against the Cleveland Indians at Hi Corbett Field in Tucson was shortened to three innings when he developed a blister beneath his left big toe. He gave up his first run and struck out two in three innings, earning credit for the Angels’ 5-3 victory.

“I’m disappointed, because I felt pretty good otherwise,” he said of having to come out because of the blister.

Abbott yielded two hits and a walk and balked in a run during the fourth inning of a 6-4 “B” game loss, the first runs scored against him after seven scoreless innings in full-squad games.

“There were a lot of screwed up things out there, which is going to happen during the season, so it was a good day to learn how to get through different situations,” he said.

Manager Buck Rodgers isn’t happy with the pitchers vying for the fourth and fifth spots, behind Langston, Abbott and Chuck Finley. “No one’s stepping forward right now,” Rodgers said. “That’s got to be a concern because that’s one of the areas we’d like somebody to step up and be counted. We’re really not much further along three weeks in than we were opening day (of training). We may have to to go Plan B and go to the bullpen to (Scott) Bailes or (Cliff) Young if no one does better the next time out.”

Dick Schofield led the Angels in the “B” game with two singles and a triple. Hubie Brooks had a two-run double and a single during the regular game. Mike Fitzgerald also hit a two-run double.

Former Angel second baseman Bobby Grich was hired as a roving special assignment instructor. Grich has been out of baseball for five years. . . . The Angels have had preliminary discussions on a long-term contract for Abbott, according to Dan O’Brien, senior vice president. Club officials promised to talk about a multiyear deal after Abbott signed a one-year, $1.85-million agreement in January.