ANGELS : Valera Likely to Open Season in Bullpen

The Angels, wanting to be cautious with pitcher Julio Valera, likely will open the season with him in the bullpen instead of their rotation, Manager Buck Rodgers said Monday.

The move means John Farrell, who has not pitched the last two seasons because of elbow surgeries, will be the fourth starter, joining Mark Langston, Chuck Finley and Scott Sanderson.

The Angels are expected to leave Valera in the bullpen until April 18, when they’ll need a fifth starter for the first time. The Angels need to use a fifth starter only twice in April, and then will use a five-man rotation the rest of the season.

“The best option right now would be to have (Valera) start the season in the bullpen,” Rodgers said. “If there’s anybody that might benefit from innings in the bullpen, he’d be the guy. We want to bring him along slowly, start him off by pitching mop-up, and this would be a way to keep checking him out.”

Valera, who has not pitched in a game since March 20 because of a tender elbow, went through a rigorous 18-minute workout Monday in which he threw fastballs and changeups to bullpen catcher Rick Turner. Valera reported no pain, but said he was throwing his fastball at only 80%, and elected not to throw any breaking balls.

“I feel great,” Valera said, “but I’m still kind of scared to let it go. I didn’t want to take any chances with the curveball; I’ll wait until I get my full arm strength.

“But I do know I’ll be ready for my first start.”

Said Chuck Hernandez, Angel pitching coach: “I think this was a good confidence-builder for him. (Today) will be a determining factor to see how he feels.”

The probable decision to move Valera into the bullpen allows Farrell the opportunity to make a comeback that many believed would be impossible. He has undergone two elbow surgeries, including total reconstruction of his right elbow.

“The key guy in all this is Farrell,” Rodgers said. “He afforded us this luxury. He already got over one (obstacle) by throwing the ball down here. Now, he has got to overcome the other by pitching to major league hitters in major league surroundings.”

Said Farrell, who has yielded only nine hits in 16 innings, posting a 1.13 earned-run average: “I feel like it’s my first year all over again. It’s a new beginning for me.”

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Sanderson, the losing pitcher in the Angels’ 3-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs, on being selected as the No. 3 starter: “I’m pleased that Buck has made that decision. Now, I feel like it’s my job to go out and validate his decision.”

The Angels, who are expected to make the announcement today, also will guarantee Sanderson’s major league contract at $500,000.

Angel Notes

Although Manager Buck Rodgers concedes that he is a bit concerned with Joe Grahe’s spring performance, he said Grahe (0-1, 5.84 ERA) still deserves to be the closer. “I think we’re obligated to give him that opportunity,” Rodgers said, “based on what he did last year. You can’t say he got bounced around in spring training, and therefore, we’re not going to give him the opportunity. The better we build around him, the better our bullpen will be throughout the year.” . . . Buck Rodgers says that barring a late pickup of a left-handed reliever off the waiver wire, Mark Holzemer (2.89 ERA) or Jerry Nielsen (4.09 ERA) will be on the opening-day roster. Rodgers says he wants another lefty besides Steve Frey in the bullpen, which would mean that Scott Lewis (0-1, 3.75 ERA) might open the season in triple-A Vancouver. . . . Ty Van Burkleo had his left big toe drained Monday morning after being spiked Sunday, and is expected to resume playing today. “It feels 100% better than it did,” Van Burkleo said, “I could barely walk on it this morning.” Van Burkleo still is a slight favorite over outfielder Jerome Walton for the final spot on the team, but he has only five hits in his last 26 at-bats. . . . The Angels’ biggest dilemma this week will be deciding whom to pull off their 40-man roster. The Angels still have to place Rene Gonzales, Stan Javier, and Gene Nelson on the 40-man roster, and they have only two vacancies. . . . Third baseman Rene Gonzales forgot his jersey Monday, and wore No. 55 instead of 88. The change didn’t help his hitting. He went 0 for 4 and has only one hit in his last 23 at-bats. He and third baseman Gary Gaetti are a combined three for 40 (.075). . . . Mark Langston will face Bill Wegman in the season-opener April 6 against the Milwaukee Brewers at Anaheim Stadium; the Angels’ Chuck Finley will face Cal Aldred in the second game of the series. . . . First baseman J.T. Snow pulled off perhaps the Angels’ defensive gem of the spring when he ran about 75 feet down the line, dived, and caught Sammy Sosa’s pop-up in foul territory. . . . Snow’s batting average has plummeted to .173 this spring, and he has only two hits in his last 22 at-bats. . . . Mark Holzemer still was being teased about being victimized by Chuck Finley’s prank Sunday. Finley and a few of his teammates hoisted Holzemer’s Porsche on blocks, took off the rear tires, and placed them in front of his locker with a ‘For Sale’ sign. . . . The pitching matchups for the Freeway Series against the Dodgers: Mark Langston vs. Tom Candiotti on Friday at Dodger Stadium; and Scott Sanderson vs. Pedro Astacio on Saturday at Anaheim Stadium.