ANGELS : An Uncertain Future Gives Sanderson Incentive

If this had been any other year, pitcher Scott Sanderson would have notified the Angels of his dilemma Friday morning, jumped into the car, and postponed his spring-training debut.

Sanderson learned early Friday that his wife was suffering complications related to her pregnancy, but instead of rushing back to Tempe, Ariz., he stayed around long enough to pitch two perfect innings during the Angels’ 5-0 victory over the San Diego Padres in the Cactus League opener.

“This spring is totally different from any other spring I’ve had,” Sanderson said. “I don’t have the luxury of going at my own speed, knowing that I’m going to be in the starting rotation.

“I’ve got to prevent watching this season from my living room couch.”

Sanderson is a 14-year veteran who was the New York Yankees’ opening-day starter last season. But the best offer he received was the $250,000 guaranteed by the Angels, and he has no promises of making the opening-day roster as their fifth starter.

“My approach has to be totally different from the past,” Sanderson said. “I knew coming into spring training last year that no matter what I did, I was going to be pitching opening day. Now, I don’t even know whether I’ll be on the team.

“Instead of polishing my weaknesses and making sure my strengths are still there, I’ve got to open eyes right away.”

Friday, Sanderson never fell behind in the count to the six batters he faced, needing only 20 pitches to retire the side in the third and fourth innings.

“I think you saw what Sanderson can do when he gets ahead of the hitters,” Angel Manager Buck Rodgers said. “It was a good start.”

Sanderson left for Tempe after the game to be with his wife, Cathleen, and is expected to rejoin the team Sunday.

Rodgers sat down in the front seat of the bus, looked at driver Joyce Toppett, and said: “This is how much faith I have in you.”

Rodgers said he had no apprehensions taking the three-hour bus ride to Yuma, and figures the Angels might have the safest bus trips in the major leagues this season.

“I feel sorry for our bus drivers this year,” Rodgers said, “because they’re going to be under so much scrutiny. We hit even a pothole now, and guys are yelling, ‘Watch it!’ ”

Rene Gonzales, wanting to prove to the Angels that he deserves to be the starting third baseman, went two for two with a two-run single.

“I don’t know if I have to prove anything to myself,” he said, “but I intend to put in everybody’s mind that I’m an everyday ballplayer. It doesn’t matter whether it’s the big leagues or the summer beer league, I want to play every day.

“I hated the label of a utility player.”

Angel starter Mark Langston pitched two shutout innings and continued his dominance over Padre right fielder Tony Gwynn, striking him out in the first inning. Gwynn said that he has one hit against Langston in about 35 at-bats.

“I get up a little more for Tony than than everyone else,” Langston said. “He’s one of the best players in the game, so my concentration is a little bit sharper with him. I’m just glad I only face him in the spring, and not during the season.”

Angel second baseman Damion Easley, who probably wasn’t going to play anyway because of shin splints, was hit in the back of the left arm while walking toward the infield during batting practice. It was diagnosed as only a bruise, and he could play today. . . . The Padres got only three hits in the game, equaling their error output. . . . Chuck Finley is the Angels’ scheduled starter at 12:05 PST today against the Padres.