BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Leiter Carries an Extra Burden to Camp

It was one of the most troubling flights of Mark Leiter’s life. He spent the five hours wondering if he really should be doing this.

It always was difficult for Leiter to leave his family, but now the pain of separation is excruciating.

Leiter, who arrived in Tempe, Ariz., on Monday to join the Angels, would give anything for this job opportunity to be his only worry.

“Unfortunately, life doesn’t work that way,” Leiter said.

Trying to live the dream of being a starting pitcher in the major leagues, Leiter must face ruthless reality. His and wife Allison’s 9-month-old son, Ryan Alexander, is dying.

He cannot move his hands. His legs are limp. His neck is not strong enough to support his head. He is being fed through a tube in his navel. Another tube removes saliva.

The ailment is a progressive form of neuro-muscular atrophy called Werdnig-Hoffman disease. In essence, Leiter said, it’s an infant’s form of Lou Gehrig’s disease.

“We’ve been told that most babies suffering from this disease don’t live past a year,” Leiter said. “The longest on record is two years.

“Right now, we’re trying to enjoy him every day we can.”

That is why it was so difficult for Leiter to board the plane from Florida. His family will rejoin him on Thursday, but he has no idea whether they will all be packing their bags again in 10 days for a new place of employment.

Leiter, 31, signed a one-year, non-guaranteed contract for $300,000, plus $300,000 in incentives, after being released a week ago by the Detroit Tigers. The Angels will decide by March 29 if he will stick with the team. If he doesn’t, they will pay him $75,000.

“I’m really excited about this opportunity because I think I’ll get a chance to start,” said Leiter, who was 6-6 with a 4.73 earned-run average last season. “I know I can still pitch.”

Angel Manager Buck Rodgers said that Leiter will pitch in at least two games before a decision is made.

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Joe Magrane is expected to pitch batting practice this week for the first time since he had arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow last month. If he has no setbacks, Magrane might rejoin the rotation by late April or early May.