BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Farrell Continues Comeback Attempt

Former Cleveland pitcher John Farrell was back in the majors Friday--or back in a major league clubhouse, at least.

Farrell, 30, hasn’t pitched in the majors since 1990 and is recovering from two elbow surgeries. The Angels signed him in February as a long-term project. Now, after a summer of rehabilitating in Mesa, Ariz., he is in Anaheim to continue his work and pitch in simulated games, where the Angel staff can evaluate him. He is scheduled to go to Instructional League this fall.

Farrell’s goal is to be ready to compete for a spot on the team next spring.

“It hasn’t been as tough as some might think,” said Farrell, who won 14 games for the Indians in 1988. “Every time I’m capable of doing more, that light at the end of the tunnel gets brighter.”

The cast on Angel infielder Rene Gonzales’ left arm was replaced Friday after the original cast was removed and the arm was X-rayed and examined by team orthopedist Lewis Yocum. Gonzales, whose arm was broken when he was hit by a pitch Aug. 11, had hoped the cast might be removed permanently Friday, but he probably faces two more weeks in the new cast.