BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Return of Orton Charges Batteries

The Angels, whose catching situation has been a mess all season, are hopeful catcher John Orton’s return will help solidify a position that may be revamped next season.

Orton, who has not been behind the plate since May 28 because of a sore shoulder and strained thumb, was activated from the disabled list Tuesday and made his first start in a month. He had a double and single in his first two at-bats for only his second multiple-hit game since April 20.

“He evaluates the pitcher’s strength real well,” Angel Manager Buck Rodgers said, “and he can change directions with a minimum of damage. The big question for him has been his bat.”

The Angels made room on the roster by designating Larry Gonzales for reassignment. If he clears waivers, they will outright him to triple-A Vancouver. The Angels also activated pitcher Victor Silveiro from the 60-day emergency disabled list and optioned him to Class-A Palm Springs, filling their 40-man roster.

The Angel catching corps entered Tuesday’s game with a cumulative .220 batting average with five homers and 22 RBIs. In contrast, the Royals’ catchers, Mike Macfarlane and Brent Mayne, are batting .284 with 11 homers and 44 RBIs.

Rodgers said the Angels probably will bring up triple-A catcher Chris Turner in September, then allow double-A catcher Jorge Fabregas to compete for the starting job with Turner and Orton in the spring.

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Whitey Herzog, Angel vice president, on the new ban of chewing tobacco in the minor leagues: “You would think the owners would have something better to worry about than banning chewing tobacco.

“Look at that stuff they’ve got instead now, bubble gum, jawbreakers, you think that crap is better for your mouth than tobacco? I just don’t get it.”

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The Houston Astros signed pitcher Billy Wagner, the 12th pick in the draft, on Tuesday for $600,000, according to a source. The Angels still hope they can sign Brian Anderson, the third pick in the draft, for less than $1 million. Yet, No. 1 pick Alex Rodriguez and No. 2 pick Darren Dreifort each are seeking in excess of $2 million.