BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJORS : ANGELS : Davis’ Agent Defends O’Brien

Tom Reich, the agent for Angel designated hitter Chili Davis, says it’s unfair to blame former vice president Dan O’Brien for their prolonged contract negotiations. O’Brien was fired Friday, and one of the criticisms of O’Brien was his lack of aggressiveness, particularly in the Davis negotiations.

“We had no beef whatsoever with Dan O’Brien,” Reich said. “Dan is an old and dear friend of mine. Whatever happened to him certainly should not be a reflection of our negotiations.

“The dialogue has been very cordial, and it will remain that way. Both parties want it to work out, and my expectations are that (it) will.”

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John Farrell, who has not started for the Angels since Aug. 17, will rejoin the rotation for at least two starts to help management decide whether they should exercise his $640,000 option for next season. Farrell (2-11, 7.78 earned-run average) is scheduled to start Tuesday in place of Hilly Hathaway (strained shoulder) and make at least one more start on the road. “We see some gleam of light at the end of the tunnel for John, and now we’ve got to make a decision on him,” Angel Manager Buck Rodgers said. . . . Angel third baseman Eduardo Perez (inflamed elbow) will be kept out of the starting lineup until at least Tuesday, Rodgers said. . . . Agent Dennis Gilbert wore a Texas Ranger uniform as he shagged balls in the outfield before Saturday night’s game.