ANGELS : Janicki Hurt in Accident

Pete Janicki, the Angels’ 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, a graduate of El Dorado High School who played three years at UCLA, 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 to his face.

“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 found no eye damage. He’s 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.

“I’ll be all right, but it may take a while for my car to get back in shape.”

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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, already have made the decision that Van Burkleo will be on their opening day roster.

Van Burkleo, who spent the last 11 years in the minor leagues or Japan, finally has made the major leagues. “This is something I’ve wanted a long, long time,” said Van Burkleo, a graduate of Chatsworth High School, 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 returning to the United States a year ago and playing for the Angels’ triple-A team, will be the Angels’ top left-handed power-hitter in reserve. He is hitting .290 this spring.

“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.”

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Scott Sanderson virtually assured himself of a job as the Angels’ fourth starter Wednesday, yielding only two hits in six shutout innings. “All I want to show people is that I’m worthy of wearing a major league uniform, and still capable of pitching in the major leagues,” said Sanderson, who lowered his ERA to 3.00. . . . Left-handed reliever Mark Holzemer’s chances of making the Angels greatly diminished Wednesday 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.” . . . There is one remaining vacancy in the bullpen, with Joe Grahe, Steve Frey, Gene Nelson and Chuck Crim already guaranteed spots. . . . Torey Lovullo has virtually assured himself of winning the last utility infield job, Rodgers said.