BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Valera May Be a Starter Again

Manager Buck Rodgers, discouraged by Julio Valera’s performance in the bullpen this season, says the club is contemplating making him a starter again.

Valera has struggled this month, losing two games and blowing two saves in five appearances while compiling an 11.37 earned-run average. He is 1-3 with a 6.41 ERA and batters are hitting .363 against him.

“He certainly hasn’t come along like I expected,” Rodgers said. “We’ve got to keep our minds open what the best will be for him, and for us down the line.

“I haven’t given up on him, but I don’t know if we’re doing the right thing or not with him.”

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Kansas City first baseman Wally Joyner, batting .248 with one homer and nine RBIs, said he couldn’t help but reminisce about his 1986 rookie season with the Angels while watching Angel first baseman J.T. Snow.

“He’s brought back a lot of fond memories,” Joyner said. “You can’t help but see the similarities, how he swings, how he plays, everything. You can see enjoyment in how he plays, the excitement.

“There’s just an aura about him, and you can see how confident he is in his ability. J.T. doesn’t want anything out of this, he just wants to play ball. He’s a hustler, plays hard, and gets dirty.”

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Royal Manager Hal McRae, asked how many times he has seen his highly publicized outburst on ESPN and local networks: “You know something, I’ve never seen it once. And you know what, I never want to see it, either.”