BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Curtis to Play More, Wathan Says

With John Orton replacing Lance Parrish behind the plate and Lee Stevens installed at first base instead of platooning with Alvin Davis, the next step in the Angels’ youth movement appears to be finding a regular spot for outfielder Chad Curtis.

Even before Curtis’ two-home run, five-RBI performance Friday, interim Manager John Wathan said a place would eventually have to be made for Curtis. But Curtis isn’t counting on anything.

“Maybe it seems logical, but I’m not trying to figure stuff out right now,” said Curtis, who raised his average to .283 after going two for four Saturday. “I have to look at it that as long as I can produce, I’m going to be in the lineup.”

He was in Saturday’s lineup in right field, leading off against left-hander Randy Johnson.

“We’re going to get him in there as much as possible,” Wathan said. “We’ll probably rotate the DH among the outfielders so we can keep him in the field. With Alvin gone and Hubie (Brooks) on the DL, we don’t have a true DH, anyway. If he keeps hitting, we’ll find a spot for him.

“He’s hitting well and he’s throwing well . . . He threw out a couple of runners this week (Shane Mack Tuesday at Minnesota and Kevin Mitchell Thursday at Seattle), so we’re real happy with that part of his game. There was some concern about his outfield play in spring training and he had some problems (with errant throws) in Milwaukee and Chicago, but he’s picked it up. He’s getting on-the-job training.”

Catcher Lance Parrish, 36, was signed by the Mariners and will back up Dave Valle.

Bobby Rose, who completed his 20-day rehabilitation assignment with Class-A Palm Springs Saturday, will be optioned to triple-A Edmonton today. . . . Davis has been given permission to work out with the Angels while he prepares to leave for Japan. He is planning to depart July 8. “I have to stay in shape until then,” said Davis, who will play in Osaka for the Kintetsu Buffaloes. . . . Mara Forcey, who worked in the Angels’ accounting department, died Saturday of liver cancer at age 33.