BASEBALL TRIALS : Two Bruins, One Trojan Are Released

Pete Janicki, a right-handed pitcher from UCLA and a first-round draft choice of the Angels, was one of eight players cut from the U.S. Olympic baseball team trials Thursday.

Janicki said he will go home and rest his arm and try to work on a contract with the Angels. Janicki removed himself from an intrasquad scrimmage Wednesday after pitching to three batters. He said his right elbow was sore.

Janicki said X-rays of his elbow were negative.

“They asked me what I wanted to do, and I didn’t want to sit around here and rest it, so we decided I’d leave,” Janicki said. “I’ve just thrown a lot more innings than a lot of guys here and my arm is sore.”

He pitched 150 1/3 innings for UCLA.

“I think it’s in my best interest to go home and rest,” Janicki said. “I need to rest my arm, so it’s best I don’t have a lot of pressure to sign right away and report somewhere. I’m looking forward to getting signed though and pitching again.”

UCLA’s Michael Moore also was cut from the squad, despite collecting three hits in Wednesday’s intrasquad scrimmage. USC catcher Bobby Hughes also was released.

Hughes looked like the best catcher offensively with three home runs during the tryouts. “I was a little surprised I was cut, but I’m not holding any grudges,” Hughes said. “I think I played well. But they had to make some quick decisions. I’m not holding any grudges.”

Hughes, a second-round draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers, said he probably will go to Alaska to play summer baseball. He said contract negotiations with the Brewers are “not going very well.” Hughes said he is going to wait to see what the value of second-round picks is before he signs.