ANGELS : DiSarcina Doesn’t See the Situation as Hopeless

Angel shortstop Gary DiSarcina sees the fear in his teammates faces, is well aware of the fans’ trepidation, and knows the anxiety of the rookies.

While some of his teammates are making dire predictions, with the Angel management cringing each day over poor pitching, DiSarcina still says the Angels won’t be nearly as bad as forecast.

“Maybe it’s because I went through all this last year,” DiSarcina said, “but I really believe we are going about this in the right way. This organization is taking so much abuse, I really wish people would give it a chance.

“I know I’m forever grateful what Buck Rodgers did for me. He could have left me on the bench and played a nine-year veteran (Dick Schofield) last year, but he believes in young players.

“Say what you want, but we’re going to be surprising some people.”

Certainly, one of the Angels’ most pleasing developments this spring has been the steady influence of DiSarcina. He is batting a team-high .367, has made only one error in 13 games, and easily has been their most consistent player.

“It’s like I have a huge weight off my shoulders compared to last spring,” DiSarcina said after the Angels’ 11-5 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday. “Last year, I kind of lost focus on the team goals because I was so worried about winning a job.

“Now, instead of worrying about winning a job, I can concentrate on the little things and help this team win. I think I can help make a difference.”

Bowie Kuhn, baseball’s commissioner from 1969 to 1984, said that baseball will make a grave mistake if it doesn’t hire a new commissioner soon.

“I think it slows up the decision-making process,” said Kuhn, who is in town visiting the Autry family. “I don’t think you can go without a commissioner indefinitely. You can probably work it for a few more months, but I don’t think you can let it go longer than that.

“But I can understand why they’re waiting. They’re being cautious. The future of the game hinges on this next labor agreement.”

Mark Langston is expected to be announced this week as the opening-day pitcher April 6 against the Milwaukee Brewers. He will become the first Angel pitcher to start in consecutive season-openers since Mike Witt in 1985-1989. . . . Since the Angels need a fifth starter only twice in the month of April, Rodgers said he probably will open the season with a four-man rotation. Veteran Scott Sanderson (0-0, 4.50 earned-run average) must make the team as a fourth starter or faces the possibility of being released, Rodgers said. If Sanderson earns a spot on team, Russ Springer (0-1, 12.91 ERA) and John Farrell (0-1, 0.82) each could open the season at triple-A Vancouver. . . . Second baseman Damion Easley, who has been sidelined because of shin splints, worked on double plays Saturday and is expected to return to the lineup Tuesday. If he has no complications, Rodgers said, Easley probably will be in the opening-day lineup. . . . Chuck Finley pitched on the side Saturday for the first time in 10 days, and has recovered from his strained neck. He is scheduled to pitch Monday against the Seattle Mariners. . . . Tim Salmon hit a two-run homer in the first inning against Ricky Bones of the Brewers. . . . Left-hander Jerry Nielsen was knocked around again Saturday, yielding three hits and one earned run in two innings. Nielsen, one of three players acquired in the Jim Abbott trade, is yielding a .371 batting average this spring.