BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Grahe Has Tests on Shoulder

Angel bullpen stopper Joe Grahe probably will be placed on the disabled list Thursday, Angel Manager Buck Rodgers said, because of a sore right shoulder.

Grahe, who left the team Sunday, was diagnosed as having a sore shoulder but a magnetic resonance imaging test revealed no tears. The DL move would be retroactive to June 5, making him eligible to be activated June 20.

“This just kind of verified what we thought,” Rodgers said. “And a lot of it is to help (Grahe’s) head, too. I think Joe was scared. When a guy never has had arm problems, and suddenly has them, it can be scary.

“In our business, all you need is one (injury) sometimes, but he knows now that this isn’t a career-threatening thing.

“The big thing now is knowing that it’s not ripped or torn.”

Angel trainer Ned Bergert said Grahe will begin a strengthening program while undergoing anti-inflammatory medication and ultrasound treatments. They expect him to be ready by the time he’s eligible.

Rodgers said the Angels haven’t decided who will replace Grahe on the roster, but said left-handed reliever Jerry Nielsen (2-2. 5.02 ERA), Mike Butcher (1-2, 6.75 ERA) and Otis Green (1-2, 4.11 ERA) are among the leading candidates.

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Center fielder Chad Curtis took Rodgers’ recommendation and began his three-day suspension Tuesday, deciding not to appeal the American League’s penalty for last week’s brawl, which included a $1,000 fine.

“That’s what Buck wanted me to do,” Curtis said. “It wasn’t like I could prove it wasn’t me out there fighting, so he said I might as well serve it now than have it hanging over me until July.

“It’s funny, my mom called me today and said she wanted to drive to my house (in Grand Rapids, Mich.) to watch the game tonight. I had to break it to her, ‘Mom, I won’t be playing tonight. I got suspended.’ ”

Curtis, who is hitting .332 and leads the league with 28 stolen bases, will continue working out and taking batting practice, but must be in street clothes and watch the game from the stands.

“I’ve always supported my teammates in the dugout, now I’ll have to cheer them from the stands.”

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Rookie first baseman J.T. Snow is the only Angel among the leaders in the All-Star balloting, ranking fifth with 39,752 votes. Mark McGwire of Oakland, who’s on the disabled list, is first with 89,543 votes. . . . Rodgers on Toronto second baseman Roberto Alomar: “I’m not prepared to say he’s the best player in this league, but he’s sure got to be one of the top three or four.” Alomar has battered the Angels this season, hitting .643 with five runs, five homers and 10 RBIs in only four games entering Tuesday.