BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Gonzales Ready if Gruber Isn’t

Angel Manager Buck Rodgers strongly is leaning toward starting Kelly Gruber at third base when he returns, but he reiterated Tuesday that he will keep Rene Gonzales in the lineup if Gruber is not completely healthy.

“Just like I said when this all started,” Rodgers said, “we’re not going to rehab (Gruber) for his free-agent year. That’s not our intent. We want him for ‘93, if he can play.”

It’s unknown, of course, how sound Gruber will be after his 20-day rehabilitative assignment, which started Monday at Class-A Palm Springs. The Angels are aware of the possibility that Gruber might need further shoulder surgery, and realize he still has bulging disks in his neck.

The Angels still are hoping that the Toronto Blue Jays compensate them for nearly half of the $2.3 million they must pay Gruber this season, but American League President Bobby Brown has persuaded each club to try to work out a settlement.

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Julio Valera was ecstatic Tuesday when he officially was informed that he was returning to the rotation, replacing Scott Lewis. Valera, 1-3 with a 5.56 earned-run average, will start either Sunday against the Texas Rangers or Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners. Although Chuck Finley’s regular turn would be Sunday, he owns a 3-6 career record and 4.32 ERA against Texas and is 9-3 with a 2.11 ERA against Seattle.

“It’s great to finally be back in there,” Valera said. “To tell you the truth, I just never felt comfortable in the bullpen.”