BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Lovullo Shocked by His Release as He Moves On

Torey Lovullo, one of the Angels’ most popular players, couldn’t bear to stick around Tuesday morning after General Manager Bill Bavasi informed him he was released.

He said goodby to Mark Langston and a few other early arrivals, and quickly left for home to tell his wife. He returned to clean out his locker after the team left for Peoria.

“I was shocked,” said Lovullo, who batted .251 last season in 116 games for the Angels. “I really was shocked how it all happened. I guess it’s really time for me to move on.

“I’m sad I’m leaving the Angels, but grateful for the opportunity they gave me. I knew the writing was on the wall when (Rex Hudler) walked in Monday. I’m not going to question their personnel moves, but they have a plan.

“Obviously, I’m not in them.”

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Barring any last-minute trades or injuries, the Angels’ opening-day roster will be:

Starting rotation, in order: Mark Langston, John Dopson, Chuck Finley, Phil Leftwich and Mark Leiter.

Bullpen: Mike Butcher, Joe Grahe, Bill Sampen, Scott Lewis, Craig Lefferts and Bob Patterson.

Catchers: Chris Turner, Greg Myers.

Infielders: Eduardo Perez, Harold Reynolds, Gary DiSarcina, Damion Easley, Spike Owen and Hudler.

Outfielders: Tim Salmon, Chad Curtis, Bo Jackson, Dwight Smith and Jim Edmonds.

Designated hitter: Chili Davis.

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Although the Angels say there is only a flicker of interest, they sent Moose Stubing to scout New York Met starter Anthony Young in his start Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves. Young drew rave reviews, pitching five shutout innings, and giving up six hits. The Mets sent Harry Minor to scout the Angels. . . . This will be the third time in Mike Brumley’s career that he has switched teams in the final week of spring training. He’s expected to be claimed by the Oakland Athletics, and will join them Friday. “I had a bad feeling when Whitey (Herzog) resigned,” Brumley said.

Bo Jackson hit his team-leading fourth home run of the spring, and he also has a team-high 14 RBIs. . . . Davis played the outfield for the first time this spring, and handled his first ball when leadoff batter Bip Roberts hit a fly to him. Davis camped under the ball, but lost it in the sun, and it hit his chest. It was the only ball hit to him during his four-inning stint.

Leftwich (2-1), in perhaps his best outing of the spring, gave up eight hits and three earned runs in seven innings. . . . Butcher still is throwing in the low 90s, but his control continues to be a problem. He gave up four hits and three earned runs in one inning, raising his ERA to 12.96. He has given up eight hits and six earned runs in his last two innings. . . . The Angels are projecting Joe Magrane to rejoin the rotation on either May 5 or 6. Magrane, who has not pitched in a game since undergoing arthroscopic elbow surgery last month, is scheduled to pitch two innings today. . . . Catcher Chris Turner, who was hit by a foul pitch Monday, had negative X-rays.