ANGELS : Farrell Is Out to Prove His Arm Is Sound Again

John Farrell’s toughest task this spring isn’t striking out batters, it is convincing the Angels that he is a viable candidate for a spot in their starting rotation.

A two-year absence from the game to recover from reconstructive arm surgery is certain to cast doubts in the minds of many, and Farrell, who last pitched in the majors on Sept. 27, 1990, knows that well.

“I’m sure it’s always in the back of other people’s minds,” said Farrell, a starter for the Cleveland Indians from 1987 to 1990. “It’s like, ‘Hey, when is he going to fall back? When is the elbow going to go?’ But I feel fine.”

Farrell, a right-hander, worked five shutout innings in a 3-2 defeat by the Seattle Mariners on Friday. He gave up two hits, one an infield single and the other a double that hit on the left-field line. He had a strikeout and two walks and improved to 1-1, with one earned run in 11 innings.

“I came out of today feeling fine,” he said. “The arm thing is behind me. Hopefully, it will be behind those who are concerned about it. The thing is, tomorrow I’ll be able to play catch where a couple of years ago I couldn’t scratch my back.”

With the order of the starting rotation still uncertain, Manager Buck Rodgers said he is looking at Farrell, Russ Springer, Scott Sanderson and Julio Valera for the third through fifth spots. Mark Langston and Chuck Finley appear to have secured the top two spots, although Rodgers indicated that he might break up the left-handers later in the season.

“Farrell is sticking himself in the middle of contention,” Rodgers said.

But when does Farrell simply become a pitcher rather than a rehabilitating pitcher?

“There’s a point when we have to say, ‘Can you throw 125 pitches?’ But then you look at it again, and is John Farrell ever going to go that far?” Rodgers said. “If he can go a solid 90 (pitches), then we’ll have to be sold by then.”

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When Stan Javier came to the Angels this spring as a nonroster player, he had plenty of experience, but little in the way of a guarantee. He knew he would have to earn a spot, and that’s just what seems to be happening for the veteran outfielder.

“He does all the things to help you win ballgames,” Rodgers said. “He’s been very impressive the last few ballgames. If a guy plays well enough, we’ll find a place for him.”

Javier is batting .292 with eight runs batted in in nine games.

Angel Notes

Catchers Jorges Fabregas and Chris Turner, infielder Ray Martinez and outfielders Jim Edmonds, Kevin Flora and Reggie Williams have been returned to the minor league facility at Mesa. Edmonds, Flora and Williams have been assigned to the Angels’ triple-A affiliate at Vancouver, B.C. The others are awaiting reassignment. . . . The Angels have expressed mild interest in reliever Mike Schooler, released by the Seattle Mariners this week. “I wouldn’t be averse to giving him a look,” Rodgers said. Schooler had 33 saves in 1989 and 30 in 1990 but slumped to seven in 1991 and 13 with a 2-7 record and a 4.70 ERA last season. . . . Damion Easley, sidelined because of shin splints, hopes to begin fielding grounders at full speed today or Sunday. . . . Before Friday’s game, the Angel pitching staff had a 5.36 ERA.