ANGELS : This Whole Trade May Have Been Unstable

In an ironic twist of fate, the Toronto Blue Jays now wonder aloud whether they’re the ones who were dealt damaged goods.

Two weeks after Angel third baseman Kelly Gruber underwent arthroscopic rotator-cuff surgery, the Blue Jays say infielder Luis Sojo’s left wrist has been diagnosed as unstable.

Sojo, who was traded to Toronto for Gruber, underwent an arthrogram and left camp Wednesday to be examined in Virginia by Dr. Frank McCue. The tests revealed that there was no tear or strain of the ligament, but the Blue Jays are concerned whether he will be completely sound by the season opener.

The Blue Jays--partly in jest--are questioning whether the injury actually occurred while Sojo was with the Angels, despite playing the entire winter in Venezuela.

“Evidently, he had an injury that we weren’t aware of,” said Pat Gillick, Blue Jay general manager.

Said Gord Ash, Blue Jay assistant general manager: “We understand he had a problem (before coming to camp). If it stems from anything earlier than winter ball, we probably don’t know at this point. We’re not going to draw any conclusions, yet.”

The Blue Jays, who are poking more fun at the Angels rather than acting serious, declared emphatically that they will not request compensation from the American League office.

“We’re not going to do anything,” Gillick said. “We’re big boys, we can take it.”

Gruber, who has begun his rehabilitative therapy with hopes that he will return this season, said: “Hopefully I can come back, play great and really give them something to complain about.”

Outfielder Jerome Walton, vying for a spot with the Angels as a nonroster player, wonders what he did to deserve this.

He missed two days of camp last week when he fouled a ball against his eye, and on Wednesday he was hit in the left wrist by pitcher Scott Sanderson during an intrasquad game. Walton left the game for X-rays, which proved negative.

“All I can I hope is that I’m getting this stuff out of the way right now,” said Walton, the 1989 National League rookie of the year, “so I don’t have to worry about it during the season.”

The Angels signed all of their remaining players Wednesday, including closer Joe Grahe. . . . Don Fehr, executive director of the Major League Players Assn., presented a $10,000 licensing check Wednesday to each veteran Angel and advised them to save it in anticipation of a 1994 lockout. “I always tell the players to be prepared against any contingency,” Fehr said, “hoping it won’t be needed. Maybe I’m a foolish romantic, but I’d like to think we can get this resolved.” . . . Fehr, on Jackie Autry’s recent comments that Congress probably will retain baseball’s antitrust exemption: “If Mrs. Autry really believes that, I think she ought to go to Washington and explain why she should be able to run a monopoly. It’s that simple.”