ANGELS : It’s Quite a Dream for Van Burkleo

Ty Van Burkleo will be summoned into Angel Manager Buck Rodgers’ office within the next 10 days, eagerly sit down, and hear the words he long has awaited:

Congratulations kid, you’ve made the big leagues.

The Angels, according to one team executive, have already decided that Van Burkleo will be on their opening-day roster.

Van Burkleo, who spent the last 11 years playing in the minor leagues or professionally in Japan, finally has made the show.

“This is something I’ve wanted a long, long time,” said Van Burkleo, a graduate of Chatsworth High, who signed a 1981 minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. “When you spend as much time as I have in the minors, and your career gets derailed in Japan, making the show would be indescribable.

“It’s something I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid, and that dream hasn’t gone away.”

Van Burkleo, who spent 4 1/2 years in Japan before playing for the Angels’ triple-A team a year ago, will be the Angels’ top left-handed power hitter off the bench. He is hitting .290 this spring and has an impressive .422 on-base percentage.

“This is the most consistent swing I think I’ve ever had,” Van Burkleo said. “I’m really happy with what I’ve done, and now I have the opportunity to show I can play in the big leagues.

“It’s been tough living on a minor league salary. I don’t know what I’d do once I had money.”

Angel Manager Buck Rodgers said it’s premature to announce that Van Burkleo has earned a roster spot but acknowledged that he is ahead of Jerome Walton for the final reserve outfield job.

“If I kept Jerome Walton, I couldn’t guarantee him any at-bats,” Rodgers said, “and that’s not right. If he is sent down, he’ll be the No. 1 guy we’d call up.”

Said Walton, who tripled and scored a run in the Angels’ 4-2 loss Wednesday to the Colorado Rockies: “I’ve proved to people I can still play this game. I haven’t felt this good since ’89.

“I don’t think it’s fair if I get sent down just because I didn’t play much last year, but in a way, I understand.”

*

Pete Janicki, the team’s No. 1 pick in the 1992 June free-agent draft, had facial cuts and a black eye after being involved in a one-car accident Monday night.

Janicki, 22, lost control of his sports car while driving in Scottsdale, Ariz. He was making a turn when the car slipped on gravel, he said. He overcompensated by yanking the steering wheel and veered over the median, striking two trees. The air bag in the car released, striking Janicki in the face. He sustained a swollen left eye and several cuts.

“I’m lucky it wasn’t a lot more serious,” Janicki said. “But man, those air bags are tough on your face.”

Janicki was examined Wednesday by doctors, who said there was no eye damage. He is expected to resume pitching in a few days.

Janicki was cited for speeding--driving 35 m.p.h. in a 30-m.p.h. zone--but there was no evidence of alcohol, according to police reports.

“I don’t think I would have even got the ticket except that I told police I took the turn too fast,” Janicki said. “So in essence, I talked myself into the ticket.”

Angel Notes

Scott Sanderson virtually assured himself of a job as the Angels’ fourth starter Wednesday, yielding only two hits in six shutout innings. He lowered his earned-run average to 3.00. . . . Left-handed reliever Mark Holzemer’s chances greatly diminished when he yielded four hits and three earned runs in one inning of relief. “I’d still like to see him get another shot,” Rodgers said. “At this point, we don’t have a left-hander I feel comfortable with that can get left-handers out.” . . . Torey Lovullo virtually assured himself of winning the last utility infield job, Rodgers said.