BASEBALL: DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : New Addition Valera to Start Wednesday

Julio Valera, acquired Sunday from the Mets for Dick Schofield, hadn’t even gotten his new Angel uniform when he learned he had been scheduled for a start.

“I came in and they told me I was pitching Wednesday,” he said. “That’s what I was looking for.”

Valera is looking for a new start after being lost in the Mets’ farm system. A 23-year-old right-hander, Valera was with triple-A Tidewater this season, and pitched in relief in his only two appearances with the Mets last season. He prefers starting, and is glad the Angels are giving him that role.

“I’ve been a starter my whole career, for seven years,” said Valera. “When I was there last year, it was only for a week, for two games, and it wasn’t much. I only threw (two) innings. . . . I was surprised they traded me, but this is a good chance for me.”

After watching Valera throw in the bullpen before the Angels’ game at Texas Monday, pitching coach Marcel Lachemann was impressed.

“He’s got a sinking fastball, a rising fastball and a good changeup,” Lachemann said. “He has a nice, comfortable delivery and he stays pretty compact. His fastball gets into the high 80s.”

Mark Langston is expected to join the team today in Texas after remaining in California to undergo tests on his sore left hip. X-rays and a magnetic resonance imaging test showed nothing besides an inflammation that is being treated with medication.

As expected, Chuck Finley (hyperextended left toe) was placed on the disabled list Monday. His roster spot was taken by Valera.

Gary Gaetti (0 for 3) is hitless in 14 consecutive at-bats. . . . Bert Blyleven, attempting a comeback from rotator-cuff surgery, gave up one run in six innings for double-A Midland at San Antonio Sunday. He walked one and struck out five and took the loss in Midland’s 4-0 defeat. . . . Angel Senior Vice President Whitey Herzog is on this trip to watch his team--and to visit his old barber in Kansas City. His trademark brush cut has grown out, “and I can’t find a barber in Anaheim where I can get one,” he said.