BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Valera Weighs In at a Svelte $2,500

There was no fanfare, or TV crews, or even a publicized buildup for the Angels’ historic event.

In what was believed to be a first in major league history, the Angels conducted a body-fat weigh-in for reliever Julio Valera. The Major League Players Assn. claims there has never been a body-fat clause in a player-contract--only weight clauses.

Valera’s contract stipulates that if Valera’s body-fat percentage is 20% or less at the time of his May examination, he would receive a $2,500 bonus. If he failed to meet the standard, the Angels would owe nothing. The winner?

“I did it,” Valera said, smiling. “I got the money.”

Just what was his body-fat percentage? “I’m not telling,” Valera said. “I don’t want to give away any secrets.” The next weigh-in for Valera will be June 1 when he must lower his body fat to 18% to receive another $2,500.

The Angels put in a claim to acquire left-handed starter Scott Aldred when the Colorado Rockies placed him on waivers, but he instead was claimed by the Montreal Expos. The Angels, because they were in first place at the time, were 27th in line.

The Angels still are searching for pitching depth, and Angel Manager Buck Rodgers said he wouldn’t be opposed to trading some of the organization’s minor league prospects for a pitcher who will be a part of their future.

“I don’t think you can give up a (infielder) Kevin Flora for a guy who will help you through the schedule,” Rodgers said. “But when it comes down to someone who can help us for the long run, those guys aren’t untouchable.”

The pain in reliever Joe Grahe’s neck has worsened. Although he plans to continue on the trip, he plans to be examined by a specialist Friday in California. . . . Whitey Herzog, Angel vice president/player personnel, left the club Sunday night to travel to Albuquerque, N.M., for a scouting trip to see the Vancouver team. Herzog wants to monitor the progress of starters Russ Springer and Phil Leftwich and their left-handed relief corps. . . . Vancouver, which was rained out again Saturday night for the fourth time in a week, prompted Manager Max Oliveras to sing ‘Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head’ on the Angels’ audio farm report.