ANGELS : Club Report Blames Blue Jays

The Angels concluded their three-week investigation Thursday and announced that they will submit a report on third baseman Kelly Gruber’s injury to American League President Bobby Brown.

Dan O’Brien, club vice president for baseball operations, said the report includes documentation on Gruber’s severe shoulder injury, and the Angels hope it will provide evidence that the Toronto Blue Jays were aware of the injury.

Gruber, who was traded to the Angels in December for infielder Luis Sojo, underwent arthroscopic rotator-cuff surgery Feb. 16 on his right shoulder. He is expected to miss at least the first six weeks of the season, and may need more surgery, which would keep him out for the season.

Gruber, who left the Angels’ camp this week and is in Toronto for personal reasons, said he told the Blue Jays after the third game of the World Series that he had injured his shoulder. He was examined by team physicians, he said, but no X-rays were taken.

“Kelly Gruber was hurt in the World Series, and whether it was diving for a ball or falling off a roof is unimportant,” Angel Manager Buck Rodgers said. “He was property of the Toronto Blue Jays when it happened, so they should be responsible.

“This is documented by the trainer, not just the player.”

Even though O’Brien did not make a specific request for compensation in his report, Brown has been informed of the Angels’ desire to have the Blue Jays pay Gruber’s salary while he remains on the disabled list. The Blue Jays had agreed to pay $1.7 million of Gruber’s $4-million salary when the trade was made.

The Blue Jays maintain that there was no wrongdoing on their part, and General Manager Pat Gillick has said he will oppose any request for salary compensation.

Rookie first baseman J.T. Snow executed a suicide squeeze bunt to perfection in the eighth inning Thursday, scoring Rod Correia for the game-winning run in the Angels’ 6-5 exhibition victory over the San Francisco Giants. . . . Pitcher Tim Fortugno struggled again. He yielded seven hits and four earned runs in two innings, raising his earned-run average to 15.75. “It’s pretty hard to flower-up that performance,” Rodgers said.

The strained chest muscles suffered by relievers Julian Vasquez and Victor Silverio could sideline them for at least four weeks, Rodgers said. They will be examined this weekend by Dr. Lewis Yocum. . . . The Angels are expected to make their first player cuts Sunday night or Monday morning, just before payday. . . . Infielder Ty Van Burkleo continued his torrid spring, going two for three with a triple.