ANGELS : Bullpen Still Needs Filling Out

TEMPE, Ariz. — Manager Buck Rodgers packed his bags, tossed them inside his van and headed back to Southern California, wondering what he’s going to do about his bullpen.

“We’ve still got some questions to answer,” Rodgers said Wednesday as the Angels broke camp after an 8-6 exhibition victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. “No questions were answered today, that’s for sure.

“Nobody could get anybody out. I saw all three left-handed pitchers, and all three were a minus. The only guy I gave a plus to was Chuck Crim, and that’s only because he got the last out.”

The Angels, who are still searching for another left-hander to go with Steve Frey, decided to pursue left-handed reliever David Wells if he clears waivers, according to Dan O’Brien, Angel vice president/baseball operations.

If a team unexpectedly claims Wells on waivers, it will cost $2.05 million to pay his entire contract. If he clears waivers, Wells will be a free agent and negotiate his own contract.

The Angels also have limited interest in left-handed relievers Ken Patterson and Bob Kipper, both of whom were released.

Perhaps the Angels’ most intriguing decision will be whether to release the right-handed Crim, who is guaranteed $1.1 million, or option right-hander Scott Lewis to triple-A Vancouver. The club has been unable to generate interest during trade talks involving Crim.

The Angels can delay their decision for two weeks if they put Lewis on the disabled list. Lewis was hit in the right elbow in the second inning by Brewer outfielder Kevin Reimer and sustained a hematoma. X-rays were negative, and Lewis was told he should be able to resume pitching this weekend.

Said Rodgers: “We could put him on the DL, but all we’d be doing there is delaying the decision. It’s still wide open with just about everyone down there.”

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Julio Valera was pain-free after his second extensive workout, but is still apprehensive about throwing pitches at full speed.

“I’m kind of scared because I don’t want to get hurt again,” said Valera, who has not pitched in a game since March 20 because of a tender elbow. “I have to get that out of my mind. If I pitch like that, I’m going to hurt myself.”

Valera, who threw breaking pitches for the first time since being sidelined, is scheduled to face batters during the Freeway Series this weekend against the Dodgers and San Diego Padres. He will open the season in the bullpen and, if sound, probably will rejoin the rotation April 18.

Rodgers praised Valera’s work ethic this spring, particularly the fact that the pitcher has shed 16 pounds since he arrived in camp and now weighs 238.

Angel Notes

Outfielder Jerome Walton, who had a two-run triple in his only at-bat Wednesday, has jumped ahead of Ty Van Burkleo in the battle for the final utility job. Van Burkleo, who seemingly had the job wrapped up two weeks ago, is mired in a three-for-21 slump and has struck out five times in his last nine at-bats. . . . Greg Myers will be the opening-day catcher, Manager Buck Rodgers said, and probably will get 60% of the playing time in a platoon with John Orton.

The Angels put third baseman Rene Gonzales and outfielder Stan Javier on the 40-man roster, and optioned right-handed reliever Darryl Scott to Vancouver. . . . Bullpen stopper Joe Grahe had his best performance of the spring, pitching 2 1/3 hitless innings and lowering his earned-run average to 4.91. It was the third time he had pitched in four days. . . . Steve Frey helped raise $5,200 for a 2-year-old boy who needed a liver transplant and must take an anti-rejection medicine that will cost about $800 a month for the rest of his life. . . . Luis Polonia had a pinch triple, raising his batting average to a team-high .400.