BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Janicki May Have to Throw Before Deal

Having learned first-round draft pick Pete Janicki had a healing fracture in his pitching arm, the Angels might ask him to throw again before resuming contract negotiations.

Janicki, who was drafted eighth overall from UCLA, dropped out of the Olympic trials because of pain in his arm. Tests conducted later by Lewis Yocum, the Angels’ orthopedist, found the fracture. Yocum was to inform Dan O’Brien, Angel senior vice president, of Janicki’s progress Tuesday.

O’Brien scoffed at reports the Angels were no longer interested in signing Janicki. “That’s inaccurate,” he said.

O’Brien was pleased with the major league debut of left-hander Tim Fortugno, who pitched 5 2/3respectable innings Monday but didn’t get the decision in the Angels’ 5-3 victory over the Blue Jays. “We may have found that little gem we were looking for,” O’Brien said.

Interim Manager John Wathan said Fortugno will get one more start while Jim Abbott’s strained rib-cage muscle heals, but Wathan made no promises beyond that. “We’ll have to see how Jimmy is and if he’s ready to come off the DL when it’s his time,” Wathan said. “He (Fortugno) isn’t locked into being a starter.”

Wathan refused to discuss whether Fortugno might replace Bert Blyleven in the rotation should Blyleven’s problems continue. “If the time comes we have to do something with Bert, we’ll see who the best candidate is to put in that slot,” Wathan said. “But we haven’t come to that point yet with Bert.”

Luis Polonia’s sore left hand limited him to being the designated hitter Tuesday for the sixth game in a row. But the injury has been a blessing of sorts, because he changed his approach to protect his hand. “I’m laying off the inside pitches a lot now,” said Polonia, who took a .309 average and an eight-game hitting streak into Tuesday’s game. “When I get healthy, I’ll have a better idea how I should hit.” . . . Bryan Harvey long-tossed again Tuesday and was encouraged by the results. “I might get on the mound tomorrow, just to get the feel, not to throw,” he said, “but today felt really good. If I keep going like this, it’s going to be all right.” . . . John Orton (sore right shoulder) is taking batting practice without difficulty. . . . Abbott might resume throwing by the end of the week.