BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Blyleven Says Arm Is Weak, Not Sore

Bert Blyleven’s surgically repaired right shoulder is weak, but his resolve to continue pitching remains strong.

Blyleven, ineffective in his last three starts, believes he has reached a “dead arm” stage after his operation, when he is becoming fatigued more quickly than he did in his first few starts. However, he believes that he can pitch effectively again.

“I’ve talked to Dr. (Lewis) Yocum (orthopedist) and to Roger (Williams, the Angels’ physical therapist), and basically I’m on the same route as Orel (Hershiser),” Blyleven said, referring to the Dodger pitcher who came back from extensive shoulder surgery last season. “He had his ups and downs and I’m having some now. My arm feels good. It’s not like it’s sore. It’s weak, and the only way to change that is to pitch through it.”

Mike Butcher, recalled from triple-A Edmonton Saturday when Bryan Harvey was placed on the disabled list, said he would gladly take on any role the Angels give him. “At the beginning of the season, I pitched two or three innings, but lately they’ve had me in the stopper role, pitching maybe one inning,” said Butcher, who was 5-2 with a 3.07 earned-run average in 26 relief appearances for the Trappers. “I feel comfortable just coming out of the pen.”

The Angels have signed 11 of their first 12 draft picks. The exception is first-rounder Pete Janicki of UCLA, and Angel Senior Vice President Dan O’Brien said talks with the right-hander have been suspended. The Angels want Janicki, who withdrew from the Olympic trials because of a sore elbow, to be examined by Yocum, but Janicki hasn’t had that exam yet. . . . Chuck Finley, whose start was postponed because of a strained right buttocks muscle, threw without difficulty Saturday and is expected to start Tuesday at Cleveland. . . . Blue Jay first baseman John Olerud was three for four Sunday and is 10 for 17 against the Angels this season.